Keep opto out alive at all time on Mac?

[clanor]

Hello all, a newcomer here, to both music servers and this great site!

 

I just bought a MacMini + iPodTouch to use as my first Music Server. Works great, but I have a minor but yet annoyoing issue.

 

On the Mac I run iTunes, have the digital optical Toslink output connected to my CD DAC (Accuphase DP-500). I'm considering a better interface Mac->Dac later on, something like the M2tech Hiface.

 

The problem I have is when I stop playing music, the CD DAC loss lock signal due to no digital stream and a relay is clicking. I find this quite annoying. E.g. if I just play one song, when there is a system sound (I'll turn em all off), when I attach the iPod (iTunes make a sound when done), etc.; DAC relay clicks, it locks on the digital signal, sound, and the lock is lost, relay clicks.

 

My questions:

-Is there any way of outputting a digital stream (with no sound) on the Mac automatically, all the time?

-Or is there any other device which connects to the TOSLINK, USB or Firewire that's able to do this? I.e. having a sort of keep alive function.

-Or is it possible to setup the system to put out sound on the digital interface only when playing music from iTunes?

 

Any idea? I've tried to search the web but without luck.

 

Thanks!