ok.. ran a couple more tests. one with a higher value of 2.0 for the retraction distance.. it made it worse.
then from the stock 1.2 that i was using down to .7 and it made it better again... strange that a lower value would improve the quality.
it seems 1.2 and .7 have about the same amount of stringing (pic above). not sure if i should try a coast or what.. cant seem to get rid of those last few hairs.