[nok22kon]

thermal noise allows about 18-22 bits of real precision at audio level voltages, so it's plausible that 16 bit is somewhat limiting

[PaulDavisThe1st]

16 bit may limit it on the input side, but the question is more about human hearing's sensitivity on the "output" side ...

[guenthert]

What? You still operate your ADCs without active cooling?

I'm writing in jest, but long time ago, -hp- used actively cooled FETs (not a very popular approach today as that caused problems with condensation and we have better FETs now).