Digital Sound Output suddenly muted (though Apple TV is not)

I'm wondering if there's a simple explanation (and fix) to the problem.  Before upgrading iTunes and OSX to the most current versions, I encountered the problem of no output via USB.  That problem I attributed to a broken audio output jack requiring an expensive repair.  But then I discovered that by using a digital plug the "USB Audio Output" automatically appeared as "Digital Output" in the sound panel (of System Preferences).  Problem solved.  Once again I was able to output sound from my iMac to my Onkyo Receiver and Wharfdale speakers (the equipment that's next to my computer).
But now I'm seeing "Digital Out" in my Sound panel with a dimmed, muted speaker icon in my Menu Bar, indicating (correctly) that no audio is going through the output panel of the computer.  At the same time, when I switch to Apple (or Fire) TV in my Sound panel, the speaker icon in my Menu Bar plus volume waves are once again shown in bold black, indicating (correctly) that Apple TV in another room of the house is working just fine.
I confess I haven't tried unplugging Apple TV to see if this would fix my problem at my computer (which sees the greater use by far).  But it never occurred to me (til now) that Audio via the computer's Output Jack and Audio via Wi-Fi and Fire TV might be an "either / or" proposition.  If it is, I can live with it.  If I can have both, that would make living all the easier.
Thanks for any illumination,
Cap

I'm back in business.  Something happened, and the digital output is once again pushing audio from my imac to my receiver-amp.

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