So I was thinking about getting a small form factor PC (NUC or BRIX) for my home threate down stairs but I really want an Optical Audio option because I'm running a nice 7.1 surround sound system with a Marantz NR1604 7.1 Reciever. Is their a way to run USB into Optical output?
Look for a USB soundcard with optical output that also supports the technology that your reciever can use to enable surround sound.
If the reciever can also handle surround sound of HDMI, that tends to be the best choice today for audio quality.
THANKS!
I am not completely sure because I am not too familiar with set ups like this one, but I think that you need to be looking at something like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-SB1240/dp/B004275EO4/ref=pd_sim_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JZJ6KVTA6GHTJQVJ1Y0