[MacedonianHero]

I was comparing against the HPA-3U (with DAC), not 3B (without). Will check out your review though

 
Sorry, I was confused on which amp we were talking about. 

 

[heishiro]

They both have a DAC! I believe that the Matrix also supports DSD.

yes the HPA-3U supports DSD

 
the back part also look exactly the same

the front is also same but the Matrix has additional led near the headphone jack

 

[Matias]

It is the same amp+DAC, no question about it.

 

[cheesegrados]

I'm curious is this mark up version of the HPA-3U? Meaning I could get the HPA-3U for less money?

 

[WilCox]

  I'm curious is this mark up version of the HPA-3U? Meaning I could get the HPA-3U for less money?

 
The Audeze version has several "upgrades" from the stock HPA-3U:
 

• through-hole components vs. surface mount
• different USB input card
• what appears to be a discrete "diamond buffer" stage vs. an integrated circuit on the HPA-3U

 
Not sure if this makes the Audeze "better", but I bet the two units do not sound identical.  There could be other component changes as well that aren't visible in the pictures.

 

[Matias]

They are too similar to be a coincidence. Probably the Deckard is a newever version/specification of the OEM project.

 

[heishiro]

   
The Audeze version has several "upgrades" from the stock HPA-3U:
 

• through-hole components vs. surface mount
• different USB input card
• what appears to be a discrete "diamond buffer" stage vs. an integrated circuit on the HPA-3U

 
Not sure if this makes the Audeze "better", but I bet the two units do not sound identical.  There could be other component changes as well that aren't visible in the pictures.

Yup sound will not be the same since they dont use the same dac as Audeze dont support DSD
while the cheaper one does..
output power is not the same the Audeze has a little bit more power
 
Output power Audeze : 795mW @ 33ohms, 465mW @ 300ohms, 235mW @ 600ohms
Output power HPA-3U : 2800mW @ 33ohms; 420mW @ 300ohms; 210mW @ 600ohms

 

[WilCox]

 
Yup sound will not be the same since they dont use the same dac as Audeze dont support DSD
while the cheaper one does..
output power is not the same the Audeze has a little bit more power
 
Output power Audeze : 795mW @ 33ohms, 465mW @ 300ohms, 235mW @ 600ohms
Output power HPA-3U : 2800mW @ 33ohms; 420mW @ 300ohms; 210mW @ 600ohms

 
Agreed. The Audeze website now states that the Deckard delivers 4 Watts into a 20 ohm load with THD+N <0.1%, 20Hz - 20kHz, so plenty of power for most planar headphones.

 

[UNOE]

Does the HPA-3U work with powered monitors as a pre amp with volume control. 

 

[WilCox]

Does the HPA-3U work with powered monitors as a pre amp with volume control. 

The Deckard works that way. Don't know about HPA-3U.

 

[luo6232]

Has anyone tried these out with a LCD-3, LCD-X for an extended period of time?

 

[Jonfairway]

Sure have, it works fantastic with the LCD 3's, terrific amplifier gets better with a good long burn in too.
one word Musical....

 

[luo6232]

Thanks Jon, thats what I was hoping for. I'll have to test them myself at some point but none of the stores around me carry it.

 

[luo6232]

Have you listened to the burson soloist as well? I had another member recommend that for the LCD3 but he has not listened to the deckard so he couldn't help me make a comparison.

 

[Hifi59]

Have you listened to the burson soloist as well? I had another member recommend that for the LCD3 but he has not listened to the deckard so he couldn't help me make a comparison.

The Burson Soloist and the LCD-3f sound fantastic together. I've been listening to this combo every night for months.
The lcds never sound wrong with the Soloist.

I have also auditioned the Audeze Deckard amp with the lcds. This combo also sound great but is a little bit more laid back in comparison to the Soloist. The Solist gives the Lcds more energy and it just says sounds correct.

I have 5 sets of headphones (lcd2/3fs , Hifiman HE-560 , Mr Speakers Alpha Dogs and Oppo PM-2). They all sound great on the Soloist. The only headphone to date that I feel sounds wrong with the Soloist are the Fostex TH-900s.
The Audeze Deckard is a better fit for them. I am inclined to believe this is due to the speed of both the Burson and the Fostex,both being very fast, and so the sound of the Fostex just comes across as dry and hard sounding. Not harsh, but hard.