LCD Monitor Suggestions

Because of the Christmas season, any items purchased at a BestBuy/FutureShop can be returned for a full refund. I have been using this opportunity to test out an array of LCD monitors.

Sadly however, I find the LCD market somewhat dissappointing, especially for a graphic artist.

Can anyone recommend an 19' LCD monitor with a resolution of at least 1280x1024 (which is what I use on my 17' CRTs. oh well), a response time adequate for gaming, and most importantly, PROPER GRADIENT DISPLAY.

Of all the monitors I have tested, none can begin to properly display gradients, displaying transitional lines at intervals inside the gradient. Furthermore, their color reproduction has been inadequate, and Brightness/ Contrast is an area of worry.

Again, anyone recommend an LCD monitor that will allow a person to effectively design and edit images on a computer (with a price range of about $500).

>>11
I only raise the point to explain why LCDs are more attractive to manufacturers.  My concern is maximum PQ.  One would hope that this would not be a unique standard.

I have enough CRTs in service as HT displays and computer monitors from as early as over 15 years ago that still look beautiful, and I expect no less from the HD CRTs I've bought in the past 4 years for myself and for family (including a used Trinitron FD monitor, a new HFX73, and a floor-display HFX84).  I think I'll be okay until something else can finally catch up to CRT in PQ.  (Protip:  Don't run a CRT in torch mode; doing so will decrease the life of the tube and will result in a picture with unrealistic black levels that look almost as bad as your typical brand-new LCD.)