Despite the fact that the D/A is an analog circuit, it does insert some frequency components of its own into the output signal. This is an inherent characteristic of the conversion process, an unavoidable result of going from digital to analog. For example, if the D/A is generating a triangle waveform of a certain frequency, the output will consist of small steps, due to the converter’s finite resolution and conversion time. Moreover, those steps will have frequency components much higher than those contained in a pure triangle-wave analog signal. Therefore, to deliver a clean analog output, users must filter the output. Typically, a low-pass filter is used. The diagram shows a basic RC low-pass filter with a 6-decibel per octave roll-off. The values shown here are for example only. In most applications, the recommendation would be to replace the RC filter with an active filter with better transfer characteristics: sharper roll-off, greater resistance to loading, etc.