How much dynamic range is possible in a simple stereo recording?

[jabbr]

There are two entirely different questions which are being conflated here:

 

1) what is the maximum dynamic range that can be recorded

vs

2) what is the maximum dynamic range than can be perceived

 

Those are two significantly different discussions. Folks who are purely interested in perception need to understand the intricacies of recording eg noise shaping — @esldude can say if he intends this thread to discuss perception?

[jabbr]

3 minutes ago, The_K-Man said:

 

I loathe that word.  'conflate'

 

Do you understand? (I don’t post on those sites but perhaps you should consider that your thinking displays a certain pattern)