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

[fas42]

1 hour ago, Le Concombre Masqué said:

...  to produce that live like dynamics and controlled articulated energy in the upper lows that I hear ...

 

Yes, it's the 'subjective' dynamics that do it for the hearing - so, how does one correlate that with measurements, and number of bits?

[fas42]

Some classical music clips, with successive versions at -20, -40, -60dB down convinced me that staggering dynamic ranges with recording, and mastering were completely unnecessary - if one is straining to actually hear anything, with volume on max - the -60dB item - then going silly with numbers is pointless ...