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Re: PRaT; the essential ingredient....

Posted by user510 on September 23, 2006 at 17:43:29

In Reply to: Just wondering how many (here) understands and listen for PRaT? ... posted by KIS on September 23, 2006 at 14:55:39:

Good article! In particular, his definitions of terms. Here is a quote which I find appropriate:

"The subjective awareness of rhythm is a continuous event, registered at the whole-body level and recognized in a state of conscious but relaxed awareness."

Then he goes on to say that the impression can be repeated to the same effect over and over again. Yes, to me this is the mark of good PRaT in a system.

All the components within the signal chain can serve to dillute (or delete) this effect. I believe that good components don't necessarily "create" good PRat, that must already exist within the recording, but they can get in the way of it. A tonearm, a cartridge, a phono stage, amp, pre-amp, speakers, dirty AC off the wall outlet, room acoustics, any of these, or combinations of them, can combine to dilute the effect of good PRaT within a recording. Or these combined components can, when all is well, 'get out of the way' and allow the PRaT to be expressed within the confines of your listening room.

For instance, I was playing one of my Doors Lps the other night when I became aware that I was foot-tapping, head bobbing nodding, and generally getting into the last track of side one, "Moonlight Drive". (Strange Days) Then it occurred to me that the entire Lp had this quality. Excellent PRaT. I can't recall this feeling from this Lp in quite a while. Certainly not clear-headed, anyway..;-) The difference was that I was listening to it with a different arm and cartridge, the Graham / Jubilee. Further, when I play the Lp again, and again, the upbeat emotional sensation of a solid, driving tempo repeats. Good stuff.

Also, Collums suggests that other qualities such as dynamics, speed of transients also combine to affect this subliminal awareness of PRaT.

Then he suggests that tonal purity, by itself, isn't as important in the listening experience (in front of your system) as is PRaT. Tonal coloration combined with excellent PRaT is preferable over purity of tone that lacks PRaT. I think this is where the idler drive adherents will step forward and cheer with one loud, in unison, YEAH!

Good stuff.

-Steve

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