Mac Mini HTPC Audio Options?

I'm going to convert my Mini (early 2009) into a home theater PC. I need to know what audio options I have for getting 5.1 sound out of it.
I'm a little confused about the audio out jack. Is this jack a standard stereo headphone jack, or is it a digital audio jack?
What other options are there? I do see an external solution from Sound Blaster (Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi External USB – 5.1). I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this under Snow Leopard?

the TOSlink cable will fit the bill on those models, but I STRONGLY urge you to get a right angle plug on the TOSlink cable, if not, you will have about an 1 1/2-2" of cable sticking out the back of your Mac..it is a little heavy for the 3.5mm plug adapter to hold it in. The right angle plug can easily rest on the video cable and you don't have to worry about the cable sticking out the back.
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-TOC-RA&sourc e=froogle

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