"Pace", it's importance for enjoyment?

Let me toss out a couple of observations:

1) PRAT is almost alway good on boom boxes and car radios and the like, typically better than on high end systems

2) Good PRAT, such as on a car radio, often strikes me as BETTER than the real thing itself.

These observations lead me to suspect that PRAT may be BS in some way (some have claimed it is a distortion). I'm not making that claim (please don't jump down my throat), I just want to consider these things in conversation. --Dan

"Pace" to me seems to be slowing the music down, making it more distinct and listenable...but actually the "speed" is the same! My SFCD1 excellas in this quality.

I think the bass information being emphasized on boomboxes and the guy next to you's car system is more tempo and beat and not the complete sence of pace (a term I prefer a bit over PRAT). A brush on a top-hat, or the finger sliding off the string on an upright bass(which is a percussive type of sound) can create pace as well..without being bass notes. That said..the bass that is heard from boomboxes and car stereo's is a part of the story.

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
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Hey Dan,

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

Best,
Ken