"Pace", it's importance for enjoyment?

I agree with the comments about bass reproduction being part of what we think of as having good or bad prat / pace. Since bass lines ARE a major portion of the rhythm section, it's no wonder that it would affect our sense of "backbeat" or "tempo". As such, i think that many of these "pacey" systems are also noted as being "musical". Since "musical" is often used as a description of tonal balance vs "detailed" ( slightly bright ), it typically translates as the system being "warm" and smooth ( slightly elevated bass and soft highs ). As such, the logical deduction would be that it would easier to achieve "prat" or "pace" with a slightly warm system than it would be to achieve the same results with a "bright" or "forward" system. Since analog / LP typically sounds noticeably "warmer" and "fuller" than most digital sources, it is no wonder that many complain that digital seems "lifeless" / "has no soul or rhythm" / "lacks pace". Obviously, tonal balance affects our sense of "tempo". Make sense ??? Sean
>

Hey Dan,

Tell us if you think PRat is BS in a week or so.
*wink*

Best,
Ken

If true reproduction of bass results in pace/prat, then what about those excellent sounding minimonitors, or any speaker for that matter that has limited LF? I don't believe prat merely coexsits with aligned bass reproduction. Just right off the top of my head, Linn Kans, NHT Superones, and many other various near field monitors offer excellent pace regardless of system configuration.

I am not, however, disclaiming bass to be irrelevant in this pace issue, but it's only one facet among many.

Ken is referring to the Neuance shelf I just got. Thing is, Ken, the Apollo rack hasn't arrived yet, so it will be bit longer.

Viggen makes a very good point about the low frequencies. I have a hunch that all frequencies effect PRAT. I have noticed in the past that some of the signal tubes that I use which have anomalies (dips and peaks in roughly the 60hz-300hz range) also do not sound that great throughout the spectrum (general sound, not PRAT). Because of this it would seem that the low frequencies are effecting those frequencies higher up and I would assume that this would also work the other way around (the tubes by the way test fine above the 300hz range). I would guess that this problem in the low registers causes some type of distortion or cancellation effect to harmonics (perhaps even attack and decay) in the higher registers. Most musicians (especially guitarists) have first hand experience at creating such effects in that if one hits a harmonic on one string and then bends/pulls a note (on another string) to and away from the original tone, they can achieve all sorts of things from oscillation, to boosting the harmonic or even canceling or deadening it. My guess is that if one area of the music is not being reproduced properly, then that area can drag or distort other areas.