What exactly is PRaT???


Ok, it’s like this thing and is associated with “toe tapping” and such.  I confess, I don’t get it.  Apparently companies like Linn and Naim get it, and I don’t and find it a bit frustrating.  What am I missing?  I’m a drummer and am as sensitive as anyone to timing and beats, so why don’t I perceive this PRaT thing that many of you obviously do and prize as it occurs in stereo systems?  When I read many Brit reviews a lot of attention goes to “rhythm” and “timing” and it’s useless to me and I just don’t get it.  If someone can give me a concrete example of what the hell I’m not getting I’d sincerely be most appreciative.  To be clear, enough people I greatly respect consider it a thing so objectively speaking it’s either something I can’t hear or maybe just don’t care about — or both.  Can someone finally define this “thing” for me cause I seriously wanna learn something I clearly don’t know or understand.  

soix

@nonoise Yes that helps. Even though can’t hear them I will research. They must have a really good x-over. BTW, I have that same tuner circa 2001. Bought before Marantz did their major downgrade.

The tube amps that sit next to the Audion based system always sound most Prat-ey after a few hours of warm-up in the early evening before a midnightish listening session. Time of day is a factor or rather the state of the "grid" which tends to be more Prat sounding after midnight. Also, the tube amps (pre and power) transformers have warmed up enough to be "saturated." State of the grid and transformer saturation have a big bearing on PRAT in this household and moreso with the tube amps than the GanFet amps.

"Didn't someone say music is comprised of 2 things, rhythm and melody?"

Yes, that was Ivor Tiefenbrun, the founder of Linn, discussing the philosophic origins of his LP12 turntable in an interview many years ago. The term PRaT, I believe, originate with some people at Naim, Linn's partners in crime at the time.

@mkorsunsky

Why "partners in crime" ?

What is "criminal" about PRaT and how can any definition of music exclude harmony?