digital audio playback speakers?

[Ryan]

I'm in the process of moving the 'no-touch' video equipment (PVRs, sat. receivers, A/V switches) into an equipment closet. I'm planning on using a radio shack A/V switch that converts analog audio to digital, so my output from the closet to the viewing area will be S-Video and optical digital audio.

How can I playback the audio without adding a whole A/V receiver with digital audio input? Will a set of 5.1 or 6.1 speaker designed for use with computer setups provide a digital audio input?

I'm not trying to get a top-end home theater setup at this time (the room really isn't big enough for it), just the simplicty of running just a couple cables for output from the equipment closet.

[HTguy]

The optical digital cable has to be connected to a digital decoding device that feeds the amplifier(s) that feed the speakers. While there are such things as "digital" speakers (Meridian makes speakers with digital inputs, DACs & amps for big bucks) even they do not decode DD/dts.

If you don't want a decent HT system right now I think you need a "Home Theater In a Box." I have seen some real cheapies around with DVD, receiver & computer-type speakers starting as low as $299. Most of them have TosLink inputs.

[Nick]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and postulate that there is no such thing as an amplified "digital" signal going to speakers. The so-called digital decoder is a digital-to-analog decoder. A pure digital signal cannot be amplified. It must be converted to analog before it goes into the amp, then to the speakers, which is what the actual speakers (not the enclusures) need.