I believe I experienced great PRAT for the first time

"In any case shouldn't PRAT be more a function of the loudspeakers than any other component?"

No, in my opinion, although other than the turntable itself, I could imagine that loudspeakers would come in second as a determinant of PRaT.  (I've always hated that term, and I don't know why I am even getting into it now.)  To repeat myself, the turntable is first and foremost the device that preserves rhythm and timing of the music, by its capacity or lack of capacity to maintain a constant speed despite factors that tend to cause speed errors, like stylus drag, belt creep, etc.  I am not talking about absolutely perfect 33.333 rpm; small deviations are probably inaudible, but what is audible is the speed drifting up and down, which would be perceived as aberrant timing and loss of PRaT (god help us).  I have more or less mentioned this previously but perhaps it didn't make a dent.

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.

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

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…

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.