I for one like having smtp server spereate. Just me personally, of course. Don't want to have to keep specificing an SMTP server for each and ever account, but I can see the use for having the SMTP server tied to accounts, too.
As for the discussion on topic, have you tried deleting your prefs file? I had trouble with constantly getting "Connection refused" every time trying to send email. I was able to telnet to port 25 from my machine w/tou any trouble. After additional debugging, I found I had a corrupted prefs file. Well, not "corrupt", but it was add a blank SMTP server in my server listings. Just deleting it didn't work, removing my prefs worked like a champ. Just an option. I know you said clean install, but I've used that term a number of times myself and clean normally mean a uninstall and reinstall, not removing my personal preferences.
