Yes, you can set the digital output on a sound card to be "direct", which should be bit-for-bit the data stream that is in the FLAC file.
Digital Out vs. USB
When using the digital out on a soundcard allow the card to process the signal in any way? Or are you getting the same data stream that would come from USB.
I am wanting to run FLAC files from Foobar straight out to the DAC. If I can skip the USB and use the digital out I can greatly increase my options with regard to DACs.
I am wanting to run FLAC files from Foobar straight out to the DAC. If I can skip the USB and use the digital out I can greatly increase my options with regard to DACs.