Small 2 Ch Amp

I use this paired with some Jamo bookshelf speakers. Works very well.

For $25 you can't really go wrong.
http://www.amazon.com/Lepai-Tripath-...5828377&sr=8-1

I'm not seeing the OP's required optical input.

Something like this seems to need to be added:

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-D3-Digita...xp_grid_pt_0_0

At which point the system price has doubled!.

I renew my objections to Tripath amps on the grounds that they are sensitive to speaker loading and don't clip cleanly.

This appears to be a regular analog non-switchmode amp with similar power output:

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PCA2-80-W.../dp/B001P2VV50

You don't need a separate DAC. I had the Xonar D1 before upgrading to the Xonar Essence ST/STX series. The D1 has excellent SQ that will produce good analog output. I found it to be as good as the DAC output in low entry level AV receivers when I did A/B switching between the analog from the D1 and the optical. There are enough good reviews online of the D1 and DX (the PCI version) to confirm this.

Meanwhile, since you didn't mention budget, here's a more expensive amp. Emotiva makes a nice 50 watt amplifier. Use TAKE10 as a discount code for 10% off (see the ad on their home page).

Also, if you have no objection to a full sized AV receiver, Newegg has the YAMAHA RX-V371 for $149 after promo code EMCNENJ95, ends 5/7.

Nuforce makes lots of neat small amps, some of which have optical inputs. I believe optical-equipped amps start at apx $250 for them...

with patience/diligence you can find the mini Nuforce gear used/discounted

This question is similar, so I hope you don’t mind me jumping in!

Soon I will have an ATV3 for my balcony / roof area.

Most of the time it will just stream audio, but occasionally i will take a little micro projector up there and watch films.

I currently have a setup like this for my HTPC, and I am happy with the quality.
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-DTA-100a-Class-T-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B004JK8BDK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-TSi100-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00192KF12/ref=sr_1_12?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1340384633&sr=1-12

For the roof top I could buy another set or something similar, but add this to handle the optical to RCA conversion:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Converter-Micca-Optical/dp/B005K2TXMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340385801&sr=1-1&keywords=optical+to+RCA+powered

OR make it simple and just get:
http://www.kantospeakers.com/collections/yaro/products/yaro

Amp + speakers + digital converter would be ~$300
Kanto Yaro setup ~$270

To keep it simple, I am leaning towards the Kanto. It gets good reviews and well, I think it would be adequate.

Advice?

This question is similar, so I hope you don’t mind me jumping in!

Soon I will have an ATV3 for my balcony / roof area.

Most of the time it will just stream audio, but occasionally i will take a little micro projector up there and watch films.

I currently have a setup like this for my HTPC, and I am happy with the quality.
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-DTA-100a-Class-T-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B004JK8BDK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-TSi100-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00192KF12/ref=sr_1_12?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1340384633&sr=1-12

For the roof top I could buy another set or something similar, but add this to handle the optical to RCA conversion:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Converter-Micca-Optical/dp/B005K2TXMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340385801&sr=1-1&keywords=optical+to+RCA+powered

OR make it simple and just get:
http://www.kantospeakers.com/collections/yaro/products/yaro

Amp + speakers + digital converter would be ~$300
Kanto Yaro setup ~$270

To keep it simple, I am leaning towards the Kanto. It gets good reviews and well, I think it would be adequate.

Advice?