What exactly is PRaT???

Well I’m no monk but I recently put together a Harbeth and Naim system. I can say this combination did something in the ’feel’ sense that I’ve always read about. There was a certain veil that was lifted without the system being aggressive in any way. Typically when I’d put together a "musical" system by the standard agreement of many audiophiles (or higher percentage) I’d miss some of that bite or grunge when the music called for it. Also when I would look for a larger presentation than a system could offer (with such a small speaker) I would miss that scale.

So for me I got the "sense’ or "feel" that everything was good even though all recordings became listenable. Even though the scale was a bit smaller. So it was less compromise and more like, Yes, this system can do it really well! As far as Pace, rhythm and timing, maybe it has to do with a smaller, tighter speaker that relies a bit more cabinet for the presentation? Anyway, it led to some louder listening and lots of enjoyment. I did use a sub at times because they don’t dig deep. Even that was okay most of the time (not really missed much). So to me the prat was to make the experience all around musical without lacking any of the things that a lesser experience can frustrate us with (and there are many).

Hopefully this helps, and yes the toe tap was there. I’ve since parted with this system because I didn’t like where the monitors were positioned relative to traffic pattern in the room. I don’t like risking damage of nice gear being knocked over. I also just like to try new gear if I have the opportunity to do so with minimal loss. Glad I tried this.

I think precision in defining the leading and trailing edge of notes (or when a sound starts and stops) makes a difference in improving the perception of rhythm and timing. What I hear as better "PRaT" is that interactions between different instruments and voices are easier to comprehend.

Prat encompasses the full energy in the music or instrument to begin with. It’s the natural energy, like plucking a high end guitar versus a cheap one. The high end guitar will give off more prat, and allow more expression.

Getting prat in playback is aligning that energy of the recording and performance with the playback system.

The term dynamics is not clear enough - some hardware can make "fake" dynamics where everything sounds sharper or transients are more intense, but it may have nothing to do with what’s really in the recording. Power conditioners are a good example of this.

Prat can change throughout a song or within a mix.

Not all recordings have much prat to begin with.

Most people dont understand what Prat sounds like until you get into really high end, transparent systems. Even then, million dollar systems often don’t have it. They can be loud, shouty, "dynamic", but they aren't representing the energy of the music at each step of the song, as the performance evolves.

@clustrocasual  No offense, but none of this makes any sense to me whatsoever.  Define what the “natural energy” is in a recording to me because it means nothing and is completely nebulous.  Also, what are “fake dynamics” and who are you to determine what’s fake if you didn’t make the recording?  And how can PRaT change throughout a song???  Honestly this sounds like utter jibberish to me, but whatever floats your boat.