Optical out at that point makes little to no sense Keep in mind it isn't "clean optical" as it has gone through a DA conversion from the factory to analog along with factory EQ. Then pulled in analog and "tweaked" to re-flatten as best they can to send back to an EQ to tweak again. It's certainly a solution, but not an ideal one IMHO; hence me not messing with my Chrysler product with the HK "uber audiophile" system. If I went that way, I'd do a stand alone audio system and leave the stock one there, save for probably pulling the sub to use the space.