From Digital to Analog
Understanding the I/V & LP Stages in Hi-Fi
Understanding the I/V and LP Stages in Audio Playback
Every time you listen to digital music — whether a streaming file or high-resolution download — it begins as zeros and ones. Before you hear anything meaningful, the signal must navigate several critical transformations. Among the most vital are the I/V (Current-to-Voltage) stage and the LP (Low-Pass) filter stage. These hidden steps greatly affect how your system sounds.
The I/V Stage: Converting Current Into Voltage
Modern audiophile DAC chips like the ESS9039 (used in the Burson Conductor GT4) output their signal as current rather than voltage. But amplifiers and many audio components expect a voltage input. The I/V stage bridges that gap — converting the DAC’s current output into usable voltage while maintaining fidelity.
When this stage is poorly designed, sound can lose clarity, precision and musicality. At Burson Audio, we engineer fully discrete I/V circuits tailored for accuracy and sonic realism.
The LP Stage: Filtering Out What You Don’t Want
Modern audiophile DAC chips like the ESS9039 (used in the Burson Conductor GT4) output their signal as current rather than voltage. But amplifiers and many audio components expect a voltage input. The I/V stage bridges that gap — converting the DAC’s current output into usable voltage while maintaining fidelity.
When this stage is poorly designed, sound can lose clarity, precision and musicality. At Burson Audio, we engineer fully discrete I/V circuits tailored for accuracy and sonic realism.
Why It All Matters – and the Role of Discrete Opamps
While the DAC chip (like the ESS9039) often takes the spotlight, the real transformation happens downstream—in the I/V and LP stages. These steps convert and cleanse the signal. They determine how much detail-and-emotion you hear.
Key audio components within these stages are operational amplifiers (op-amps). Many systems rely on mass-market integrated op-amps, which can bottleneck performance—even with a high-end DAC. That’s why Burson Audio engineers its own discrete op-amps—to unlock full signal integrity and system potential.
Upgrade Your Foundation
If you’re pursuing ultimate sound quality, investing in high-grade discrete op-amps for the I/V and LP stages is essential—not optional. Choose gear that honours every part of the signal path. Choose Burson Audio.