Deckard

The Deckard combines a headphone amplifier and a digital-to-analogue converter in a brushed aluminium desktop chassis. The DAC section accepts 16 to 32-bit audio at sampling rates from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz. The amplifier uses a single-ended class-A output stage with damping intended to keep bass under control, and it delivers 4 W of output.

Controls on the front panel include a volume knob and switches for gain and input selection. Because of this, the unit can also serve as a line-level preamplifier feeding a wider desktop system. Its output at lower impedances is aimed at planar magnetic headphones, though it is described as capable of driving any headphone.

The industrial design came from Designworks, a BMW group subsidiary, and includes machined heatsinks running along both sides of the case. The unit is now listed as a legacy product and is no longer sold by the maker.