(New) I/V STD Standard OPA I/V Stage

#6C. I/V STD II Advanced OPA I/V Stage

Introduced in late 2026, I/V STD II represents a new milestone in OPA-based I/V stage design. It incorporates a new advanced fully differential, direct DC-coupled architecture, delivering exceptionally low distortion and noise, achieving our best I/V performance to date.  It is an ideal solution for high-end DIY DAC applications, where uncompromising audio performance is essential.

I/V STD II New Features and Specifications

• New-generation advanced I/V architecture featuring a fully differential, direct DC-coupled design, optimized for both balanced and single-ended outputs.
• Premium OPA1612 amplifiers are used to achieve exceptional linearity, ultra-low distortion, and outstanding overall performance.
• Enhanced local power-supply filtering featuring a total of 12,560 µF of ultra-low-ESR polymer capacitors, combined with high-bandwidth filtering, to minimize the power-supply noise floor and deliver cleaner, more stable power to critical circuits.
• Wide operating voltage range: ±4.5 V to ±15 V.
• Fully compatible with all Ian’s ESS DACs. The module is fully assembled, tested, and ready for plug-and-play installation.
• Outstanding ultra-low distortion performance:
  THD+N < −121 dB and THD < −128 dB (20 Hz–20 kHz bandwidth, 1 kHz, −6 dBFS, balanced output).
• Output level (@ 0 dBFS):
  • 4 V RMS — balanced output
  • 2 V RMS — single-ended output
• Precision-engineered and carefully manufactured to ensure a high level of hardware quality and long-term reliability.

Note:

1. Please use 14mm M2.5 standoffs between the I/V STD II and DAC.
2.  

Documents:  #6C I/V STD II User's Manual

I/V STD II Performance Measurement Result

#6A. I/V STD standard OPA I/V stage

1. Standard three-op-amplifier I/V stage.
2. Single-ended, balanced, and headphone outputs.
3. Connection-compatible with Ian’s ES9038Q3MPi dual mono and ES9028Q2MPi DAC HATS.
4. Powered by external +-V power supply.
5. DIY-friendly. 8-PIN IC socket-mounted op-amplifiers can be easily swapped for upgrades
6. High precision low TCR thin metal film SMT resistors.
7. Decoupling capacitance increased to 2000uF for each analog voltage rails.
8. New optional input connector makes it possible to work with other DACs or as an external I/V stage.
9. More room to install discrete op-amplifier board

#6A I/V STD User's manual

Other Documents

https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/RPiDacHAT/IVboards/IVSTD