Total streaming noob question

So I have been playing with the Emotiva CD player for the last week. In addition to being a fine CD transport, it can act as a DAC. The unit has Coaxial and Toslink connections in back of the unit.

I want to take my ample Apple playlist from my MacBook Pro and stream these through the Emotiva. Bought a Mini TOSLINK Optical Digital Audio Cable. Connected the appropriate ends to the digital input of the Emotiva and the mini-rca plug of the MacBook. Selected the appropriate input then launched the iTunes pm the MBP. Total silence. Checked the cables. Checked the volume of the MBP. Checked that the iTunes was indeed playing a mp4/wav file. Checked the make sure I was using the appropriate input signal on the Emotiva. Still nothing.

Am I assuming to simplistic of a solution? I would like to upload/stream music from various digital sources through a dedicated linux desktop, providing I can get this to work from the MBP.

Thank you