Notebook digital vs analog out to digital amp?


Please let me know which is better:

Audigy ZS -> decent optical out cable-> Panasonic sa-xr55 digital amp -> Silverline SR-17

vs.

Audigy ZS -> decent RCA -> $2-300 Rotel/Marantz...-> Silverline SR-17

On the one hand I think I can give the Panasonic a bit-perfect signal with the optical out. On the other hand there's more flexibility in the amplifier if I go with an standard RCA connection.

Or is there a better solution to getting audio out of a notebook on the cheap? Anything better than an audigy around that price? Thanks.
angaria
So I'm wondering - will a high-end card be wasted if I just want optical bit-perfect output? Since there's a dac in the receiver, seems like there's no use in paying for one I wouldn't use in the card.
you may need a device in or outside the computer to provide the function of bit rate conversion, which is done upstream of the dac.