Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier User Manual
- July 20, 2024
- Audeze
Table of Contents
Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier User Manual
Package Includes
- Audeze Deckard Headphone Amp/DAC/Preamp
- 5-ft USB cable
- 6-ft AC IEC power cord
- Warranty and Certificate of Authenticity
Thank you for purchasing the Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier and DAC with industrial design by BMW DesignworksUSA. The pure class-A circuitry drives any headphones to the best effect. To get the most out of your purchase, please take the time to carefully read through this user guide and warranty.
Specifications
Product Registration
Register your Audeze Deckard at www.audeze.com for
information, updates, and news.
Safety Guide
Listening to music for long periods at excessive levels can cause irreparable
damage to your ears. Audeze recommends turning off the Deckard before
connecting or removing audio or power cables. Lower the volume before
connecting (or removing) your headphone cable from the Deckard, then gradually
increase the volume until you reach a comfortable volume level. The Deckard’s
class-A circuitry generates some heat so we recommend leaving a 1-inch
clearance around the chassis for proper heat dissipation.
AC Power
Ensure the voltage indicated on the rear panel of your Audeze Deckard matches
your AC mains supply. Attempt- ing to use your Deckard at any voltage other
than that specified on the rear panel of the unit may cause damage not covered
by the Warranty.
Care and Maintenance
Regular maintenance is not required, but an occasional wipe with a clean, dry,
lint-free cloth is recommended while the Deckard is powered down.
TIP: If you leave your cables connected to the Deckard for long periods, we
recommend that every six months you shut off the Deckard and disconnect and
connect the cables several times; the wiping motion cleans the RCA terminals
of oxidation.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT OPEN.
NOTE: Opening the device will void the warranty. Contact Audeze for
service. Keep the product, accessories, and packaging out of reach of
children. This product is not intended for use by children under the age of
12.
Unpacking
Be careful when handling the Deckard. It’s important to note that the side
panel heatsinks are relatively sharp.
Connecting Your Deckard
If you’re using the Deckard in digital input mode, connect its USB input to
your computer or other USB-equipped source and ensure the input switch on the
front panel is set to “USB”. In the event you want to use the Deckard in
analog mode, you can connect the source to the left and right RCA analog
inputs and change the input switch on the front panel to “RCA”. To use the
Deckard as a system preamplifier use the pair of left and right RCA outputs on
the rear panel labeled “OUTPUT”; just add powered speakers and you’ve got a
desktop audio system ready to go.
The internal DAC has impressive specifications that play 16 to 32-bit audio and sampling rates from 44.1kHz to 384kHz on Mac OS 10.6.4 and above. Windows computers are system-limited to 192kHz and 24 bits. The front-panel gain switch chooses between three gain settings and we recommend starting at the uppermost position labeled Mid with Audeze headphones; other brands may require changing the gain. The headphone output is a standard quarter-inch stereo jack with RCA line-level analog inputs and outputs.
Window’s Driver Installation
Visit Audeze.com to download drivers for Windows. Mac users are aware that OS 10.6.4 and above feature native support so no drivers are necessary.
- Plug in the power cord and plug in the USB cable on the Deckard.
- Plug the Deckard USB cable into your PC.
- Turn the power switch (located on the rear panel) to the on position.
- Insert the provided mini-CD into your disk drive or download it on the Deckard page on Audeze.
- On the CD you will find “Deckard Windows Driver.exe”, right click on the file and select “Run as administrator”.
- You will be prompted to allow the installation process to make changes to your computer. Select “Yes” to install the software. If you select “No” you cannot install the software.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for the installation Wizard then select “Install”.
- Check “Accept” and click “Next” when prompted with the End User License Agreement. If you do not accept the agreement you cannot install the software.
- Choose an installation destination. The default installation destination is C: \Program Files\AUDEZE. Then select “Install”.
- When the installation is complete, select “Next”.
- Select “Finish” to exit the Installation Wizard.
- On your local drive navigate to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.
- Select the option “XMOS USB Audio”. Highlight and select “Set Default”.
Warranty
The Audeze product comprising the Deckard Headphone Amp/DAC/Preamp (an “Audeze
Product”) is under warranty for three (3) years from the date of the original
retail purchase (the “Warranty Period”).
What’s covered: Audeze warrants to the original purchaser that the Audeze
product will be free of defects related to manufacturing, parts, materials,
and workmanship under normal and accepted use by Audeze’s published
guidelines. Audeze’s guidelines include, but are not limited to, information
contained in technical specifications, user manuals, and service
communications.
What’s not covered: This warranty does not cover defects resulting from
improper or unreasonable use or maintenance; cosmetic damage, including but
not limited to scratches, dents, and broken parts; failure to follow operating
instructions; accident; excess moisture; excess temperature; power surges;
connections to improper voltage supply; unauthorized alteration or
modification of original condition; damage caused by use with non-Audeze
products; products purchased from unauthorized dealers; or defects incurred
during transportation for which claims must be presented to the carrier.
Because we use natural woods and leather in some Audeze Products, variations
in grain and color are the inherent and natural characteristics of the wood.
These variations are natural and are considered by Audeze as acceptable.
Additionally, as wood ages, the finished color may change. These changes in
color and finish are natural wood characteristics and are not covered under
this warranty.
What we will do: We will, at our sole discretion and to the extent
permitted by law, repair, or replace (using new or refurbished Audeze
Products) Audeze Products that are under warranty for the period listed, from
the date of original retail purchase.
What we will not do: Except as stated below, pay shipping, insurance, or
transportation charges from you to us, or any import fees, duties, and taxes.
If the Audeze Product is covered by this warranty and is provided to us within
the first 30 days of the Warranty Period, then we will reimburse you for
shipping charges.
If the Audeze Product you send to us is not covered by this warranty, you will be charged the shipping costs. If you are outside the USA and purchased this product directly from Audeze you must claim your warranty service from Audeze, not from a foreign dealer or distributor. Warranty eligibility statement: To be eligible for service under this warranty you must include with the repair items) a valid bill of sale from an authorized Audeze retailer detailing the following information:
Retailer’s name
Original date and proof of purchase
Model or SKU number of the product purchased
Serial Number
Additional product information and limitations
Warranty replacements: Audeze strives to improve the performance of our
products, and therefore reserves the right to make changes to our
design/specifications/materials at any time without notification. Audeze may,
at its discretion, choose to replace the Audeze Product completely with a new
obsolescence a suitable or remanufactured product. In the event of product
obsolescence, a suitable replacement will be chosen based on the features, the
intended use (as determined by Audeze), and the retail price of the original
Audeze Product.
Product: All warranty replacements are guaranteed for 90 days or until
the conclusion of the Warranty Period of the original Audeze Product,
whichever period is greater. Audeze does not provide advanced replacements for
Audeze Products.
Determining authority: Audeze will be the final determining authority for
all potential warranty claims for service and/or replacement.
How to claim warranty service
- If you reside in the United States and purchased directly from Audeze.com email Support@audeze.com.
- If you reside in the United States and purchased from an authorized Audeze dealer contact your dealer or Support@Audeze.com.
- If you are an international customer who has purchased through your local dealer contact your local dealer or distributor for warranty service.
- If you are an international customer who purchased directly from Audeze.com you must contact Audeze.com at Support@audeze.com for service and support. Any shipment back to Audeze for repair will be at the expense of the customer.
- You will need your serial number and proof of purchase to complete any RMA process.
Other conditions/rights: EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AUDEZE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONDITION, OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE; LOSS OF REVENUE; LOSS OF ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS; LOSS OF GOODWILL; LOSS OF, DAMAGE TO, COMPROMISE OR CORRUPTION OF DATA; OR ANY INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE HOWSOEVER CAUSED INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY.
THE FOREGOING LIMITATION SHALL NOT APPLY TO DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS, OR ANY STATUTORY LIABILITY FOR INTENTIONAL AND GROSS NEGLIGENT ACTS AND/OR OMISSIONS. SOME STATES IN THE USA OR OTHER COUNTRIES.DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY AND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH ARE EXCLUSIVE AND INSTEAD OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REMEDIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER ORAL, WRITTEN, STATUTORY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
AUDEZE DISCLAIMS ALL STATUTORY AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND WARRANTIES AGAINST HIDDEN OR LATENT DEFECTS, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. IN SO FAR AS SUCH WARRANTIES CAN NOT BE DISCLAIMED, AUDEZE LIMITS THE DURATION AND REMEDIES OF SUCH WARRANTIES TO THE DURATION OF THIS EXPRESS WARRANTY AND, AT AUDEZE’S OPTION, THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT SERVICES DESCRIBED HEREIN. SOME STATES (INCLUDING COUNTRIES AND PROVINCES) DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY (OR CONDITION) MAY LAST, SO THE LIMITATION DESCRIBED ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Audeze LLC
http://support.audeze.com
Certifications
The aim of EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives
2002/96/EC and the RoH directive is to reduce waste from electric and
electronic products and to recycle as much of the materials as possible. Any
remaining waste should be virtually risk-free to handle and the risk of
hazardous emissions should be minimal.
Recycling
This product must either be sent for repairs and reused or sent for treatment
and recycling through an approved disposal system. For recycling and waste
disposal agents for Audeze products, contact us at
support@audeze.com.
Thank you for purchasing the Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier/DAC/Preamp. As you unbox your new Audeze product, take a moment to savor the event; you’re about to experience something special. The Deckard will bring you many hours of musical enjoyment. If you’re passionate about music like we are, you’ll have songs and albums you’ve listened to your whole life.
You’ve heard these songs in a million different places on many different systems. We’re confident that the first time you hear your new Deckard Amplifier/DAC/Preamp you’ll discover details in the music that you may never have heard before. As a proud new owner, you join everyone at Audeze in an overwhelming love of music. It means a lot to everyone here that you’ve bought a Deckard.
Certificate of Authenticity
This certificate guarantees the Audeze™ product you have purchased was
thoroughly tested and burned in at the factory and is ready for use upon
arrival.
Download PDF:Audeze Deckard Headphone Amplifier User Manual