Toslink optical connection different on 2009 Mini vs 2008?

Hi,
I am trying to use the optical out on my 2009 Mac mini (new), don't see the red light, and have no sound out of my sound system. I tested the same toslink mini adapter and cable on two other Mac mini (2008) I see the light on the cable end as well as the female end of the mini adapter plug. I've many other hookups that are using toslink, my DVR, CD, and MD all have the red light.
Called Apple support and they replaced the sound card and still no light, no sound.
Here is the mini toslink plug I'm using http://www.startech.com/item/GCTOSMINIFM-Toslink-to-Miniplug-adapter-FM.aspx
Nothing special on the cables that I'm using just standard stuff and have used on other equitment before so they should be fine.
Am I missing something here? Does the 2009 minis need a different type of mini plug than one that would work on a 2008 mini?
Thanks

I don't know if this is related to your problem, but unlike every other component I've had, the red light goes out 30 seconds after the Mini stops actively outputting sound through it--for example, if I pause iTunes or a movie. This confused me during setup, because I didn't see the light, which I normally take as an index of a correct connection. It is also a continuing problem, because my receiver generates annoying loud static if there is no optical carrier signal.
I'm hoping there is some way to tell the Mini to keep this port active all the time.
As I said, I don't know if this is related to your problem, but the fact that the Mini is capable of turning off the port raises the possibility that it might turn it off when it shouldn't.

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