IAN CANADA 6C I/V STD II ADVANCED I/V Stage Module

The Ian Canada I/V STD II Advanced is an analog current/voltage stage designed for ESS DACs, tasked with converting the signal from their current output before routing it to the output stage. Its direct-coupled differential architecture integrates equally well in a balanced chain or an unbalanced configuration, while prioritizing linear reproduction and a low noise level.

Designed for high-end DIY projects, it combines OPA1612 operational amplifiers with a heavily filtered local power supply to provide a stable I/V interface between the digital-to-analog converter and the subsequent analog circuits. Fully assembled and tested, it is intended for compatible ESS DACs requiring a directly installable module suited to both XLR and RCA outputs.

Ian Canada I/V STD II Advanced: fully differential OPA I/V stage

The Ian Canada I/V STD II Advanced is a current/voltage (I/V) conversion stage designed for high-end DACs using a current output. Its fully differential and DC-coupled architecture is designed to reduce distortion and noise, while supporting both balanced and unbalanced outputs. It relies on OPA1612 operational amplifiers, whose linearity achieves a THD below −128dB and a THD+N ratio below −121dB over a 20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth, at 1kHz and −6dBFS on the balanced output.

Ian Canada I/V STD II Advanced: Power supply and integration

The module operates with a voltage between ±4.5V and ±15V, allowing its integration into various Ian Canada DAC architectures. Its reinforced local filtering combines very low ESR polymer capacitors for a total capacity of 12560µF with high-bandwidth networks, reducing power supply noise and stabilizing the voltage applied to sensitive circuits. Fully assembled and tested, it is compatible with all Ian Canada ESS DACs and can be installed directly into an existing configuration.

Ian Canada I/V STD II Advanced: Output levels

At 0 dBFS, the I/V STD II delivers a level of 4V RMS on the balanced output and 2V RMS on the unbalanced output. This architecture thus makes it possible to adapt the module to different output stages or preamplifiers, while maintaining a directly coupled I/V conversion and a low noise contribution. It is particularly suited to DIY projects seeking a stable analog interface between an ESS DAC and the output stage.