Question about dynamic range and A/D-D/A converters

[Ricardus]

So the great grifter is saying this on his youtube channel about the converters at his recording studio:

"Relative to 1 volt we can achieve that dynamic number. Our AP measuring equipment can measure down to 160dB (relative to 1 volt) and our A/D D/A at Octave hit the 140dB mark."

Anyone care to comment?

 

[Blumlein 88]

It depends upon what they mean. Is dynamic range of 140 db possible currently? No.

However, using an FFT you can read tones and such at lower levels. So some excellent gear can get to 120 db or a little bit more in overall dynamic range. Using FFT analysis you can see yes down to -160 db for distortion levels.

I can explain why and how this is so if you would like or you may already know that.

 

[mansr]

So the great grifter is saying this on his youtube channel about the converters at his recording studio:

"Relative to 1 volt we can achieve that dynamic number. Our AP measuring equipment can measure down to 160dB (relative to 1 volt) and our A/D D/A at Octave hit the 140dB mark."

Anyone care to comment?

I guess it's a matter of confusion between total noise power and noise spectral density. The latter is properly expressed in dB/Hz, but people are often sloppy with such things. This is what Blumlein 88 is saying as well, if obliquely.