2. analog
  3. 174177-98100

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
pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

then there’s the role of the arm (and mat) in controlling resonances in the time domain, chassis composition and construction including the possible role of the Tiefenbrun ‘closed loop’ principle (also claiming to address time domain resonance issues if you are a believer), the ability of the cartridge to respond to transients.and control resonances etc etc

Anything that affects the storage and release of energy in the turntable SYSTEM can and will affect PRAT. Why do you think Rega’s latest designs are purposefully so ultra lo-mass, and that they do PRAT so well?

fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
982 posts
 

Without meaning to be snide, I believe finding PRAT unexpectedly is like finding the face of Jesus on a Lay's potato chip. 

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

as the saying goes - 'some folks got rythm’

OTOH I guess some people just don’t get it..

ab_ba
11 posts
 

I greatly enjoyed this discussion. I moved up to a Sussurro about a year ago, and it was a real revelation. Fun to think what a Hyperion could bring. But first, other aspects of my system will need some attention. 

kingharold
304 posts
 

I don't remember ever hearing good music, live or recorded, when I didn't hear PRAT. 

More to discover