A printer that can be configured either as a dot matrix/impact printer or an inkjet printer. A printer frame mounts a carriage mechanism for reciprocally moving a head carrier. An adapter secures a printhead to the carrier; the adapter being configured to accept a predetermined type of printhead. A compensator/feeder assembly is pivotally movable between a printing position and a printer open position at which a slot for receiving a form is defined. The compensator/feeder assembly mounts a printer bar which is positioned in a confronting relationship with the printhead when the assembly is in the printing position. A compensator drive arrangement is fixed to a base and effects movement in the feeder assembly. When the printer is configured as an inkjet printer, the compensator drive arrangement operates an inkjet nozzle cleaning station which includes a reciprocally movable wiper driven by a compensator drive motor through a clutched gearing system. To reduce the sound level of the printer, the print bar assembly includes a platen made from zinc that is attached to a print bar support structure using a viscoelastic film adhesive. A shield associated with the printhead is used to urge the print media against the print bar and the printer frame is mounted to an external printer case using isolation mounts to acoustically decouple the mechanical components of the printer from the cover. A validation pressure roller and a stringer forming part of the carriage are cam mounted and are movable in order to adjust a gap between the printhead and print bar. A feeder motor forming part of the compensator/feed assembly selectively drives either a pinch roller for feeding print media from a supply to the print bar region or a form drive roller which is used to eject the form from a form slot defined between the compensator/feed assembly and the printhead.