My new baby...

[Librarian]

A Music Hall MMF - 2.1 turntable, my first ever "audiophile" purchase. There's a picture on my blog, I tried to post one here, but the attachment wouldn't take for some reason.

It sounds nice - I'm still trying to figure out how to fine tune the settings on the tone-arm weight. Could someone please tell me what "anti-skating" is? After years of living with Radio Shack and Circuit City turntables, I feel a little like I'm in on the deep end now.

An overall system question - I know we've been down this budget audiophile road many times, but if you can just indulge me. My system is now:

A Music Hall MMF - 2.1 turntable
Paradigm Atom bookshelf speakers
Toshiba SD-1800 DVD player
Onkyo TX-8211 Stereo receiver
Grado 60 headphones

I'm happy with the turntable, headphones and the speakers, but have been considering replacing the receiver with an integrated amplifier, and the DVD player with a dedicated CD player. Both of these new components would have to be equal to or less than $300 seperately. Any ideas?

Thanks a lot.

[Tenorman]

I am not that well up on the technicalities of turntables, I just use one on a regular basis.

My understanding of the anti-skating mechanism, is to supply a contra force to the centrifugal force experienced by the head when in contact with the record. i.e. the needle is in the groove of a rotating disc. Its natural tendency is to move to the outside of the record. If this is uncorrected, it forces the stylus into one side of the track more than the other. The anti Skating needs to be adjusted with each new cartridge.

Duh I think that's right!!