Hi folks!
I completed my first ever build of a computer and I am happy to say that it is all working wonderfully. I have the Maximus Hero VII board which has some decent built in sound and I had a question about how everyone is connecting. I recently purchased a set of Definitive Technology Incline speakers for my desktop and I want to make sure I get the best I can out of them. Best Buy had the wrong price tag on these speakers so I had to jump on them for under $200! It is only a 2 speaker setup and I might add a sub in the future but I have no interest in doing any more than that.
I use the front mic/audio connection on the computer for my headphones/mic. I am really happy with the sound I am getting out of there. What would my best connection be on the back to make sure I get the most out of the built in sound? The speakers come with the options of connecting with a 3.5mm or USB. According to the instructions that come with the speakers, when you use the USB connection you can either connect as "Standard Computer Mode" which enables you to adjust the Incline's system volume from the computer -OR- you can connect as "Audiophile Sound Mode" which maintains a purer signal path for the highest sound quality but the volume can only be adjusted from the speakers. The instructions say to set USB AUDIO DAC as the system's output device if I choose that connection.
Would you connect using the 3.5mm analog connection or the USB? If you went USB would you use the "Standard" or the "Audiophile" mode? Please keep in mind that these speakers are just for gaming and other computer sounds. I have a different computer that I use for my music/studio work. I am thinking on going with the USB option to take advantage of the speaker's built in DAC. I just want to make sure that I am not robbing myself of anything.
Thanks for your time!
-Anthony
My setup:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz
CPU Cooler: Corsair H105
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400MHz
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 512GB SSD
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Matrix Platinum
Case: Corsair 760T Black
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 1200W 80+ Platinum
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro
Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard
Monitor: Asus ROG SWIFT PG278Q 27.0"
