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I believe I experienced great PRAT for the first time

Pace, Rhythm and Timing - I've often heard about it, mainly in the context of certain turntables, but I don't think I've really experienced it in a highly satisfactory way until today when I mounted my new Soundsmith Hyperion, an upgrade from my Sussorro. Halfway through side two of Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium, it suddenly dawned on me that there was more going on than improvements in clarity, detail, neutrality, bass punch and other rather specific traits that I've until this point used to refer to what I'm hearing. For the first time in the 30 years I've had this album, I was struck by a sense of flow, ease, relaxation, and my feet were tapping! Yes, this must be it. I connected with the music at a higher level just now, something new to me. Get all the details correct, and the PRAT appears in front of you. So, this was nothing to do with the fact that my turntable runs at the correct speed with low W/F, as it was performing well at that before. I had assumed that's what PRAT meant. Perhaps it means that too, in a speed stability sense.

earthtones
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,502 posts
 

PRAT is easily killed…. It is one of the most difficult attributes to get and keep through the signal path. My experience points to it being most easily destroyed in the electronics. My current system is outstanding at PRAT as well as detail… Thinking back PRAT has always been most closely associated with great tube equipment I have heard over the last fifty years. As I assembled my most recent system (all Audio Research:I have had ARC phono stage and preamp for a couple decades) when I inserted an ARC amp it jumped big time, then I inserted a ARC DAC… jumped again.


Interesting, as I look back, Audio Research, Cary, VAC, CJ, Viva (?)… a couple others… these were always the ones that stuck in my mine as emotionally connective… I don’t remember the speakers… it was great tube equipment that got this most important aspect right. Spectacular, upfront details and slam then solid state will get your there… music - swing, emotional connection… that is for tube equipment.

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,630 posts
 

They should just call it “foot tapping”.  At least you know that when you you see it. 

lewm
14,710 posts
 

I thought we were talking about pace, rhythm, and timing, which are actually 3 words that mean the same thing in audio. But none of them refers to “emotion” except obliquely. So,yeah…

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,502 posts
 

Before I could put my finger an what PRAT was (by decades) I noticed some systems inspired me to tap my foot… some didn’t…. others drew me into the detail and made me listen for minute detail. Over a long period of time I realized foot tapping systems kept me enthralled for hours while listening to the venue and hearing details only kept my attention for a much shorted time.

When I was working, if I got to sit down and listen to whole album I was lucky. So highlighted details were fascinating. But I never craved long sessions. When I finally started concentrating on musical accuracy (emphasis on musicality) the PRAT improved each move I made. Now my system is so enjoyable (details there, just not in the spotlights), I listen for several hours a day and still have to drag myself away. Way more enjoyable and involving… wished i’d figured this out decades earlier. But the journey was great fun… it has always been really a rewarding and learning experience.

badgerdms
158 posts
 

PRAT is like the old definition of pornography, I know it when I see (hear) it.  I agree with many of the comments that you can kill it in the audio chain, but for me, if the source doesn't have it you won't pick it up down the chain.  I slipped a Linn Ikemi into my system for a couple of weeks many years ago and the PRAT factor jumped at you--it was THAT noticeable.  Same with TTs.  I'm glad you got the VPI working for you, I never could and that's a big reason why mine is gone (mine was only a Classic One which replaced a Scoutmaster).  I now have a Pure Fidelity Harmony with a PF-309 arm and (in my system) the PRAT and just pure engagement of that table just jumps out at you.  

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