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16 bit = 96 dB dynamic range

struggle a bit with your numbers.
The loudest possible signal in digital audio is 0 dBFS by design.
A 16 bit recording can capture signal down to -96 dBFS, a 24 goes down to -144 dBFS.
When recording you need some headroom say 18 dB.
If you do so using 16 bits, you effectively have 13 bit resolution. (78 dB dynamic range)
If you do so using 24 bits, you effectively have 21 bit resolution.

However, there is another limit, the noise floor of the recording chain and in case of vinyl, the substantial surface noise.

If your max is at 50% (-48 dBFS) the input signal is way to weak. This of course won't improve by switching to 24 bit.

The Well Tempered Computer


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