Digital question...

any DAC with a digital input type that matches the digital output type on the Panasonic will work (assuming the analog output type of the DAC matches an analog input type on the integrated amp that is)

The requirement is to make sure that the Panasonic TC-P65VT30 outputs stereo PCM only! TV's and disc players can output various flavors of Dolby and dts and no standard audiophile DAC can handle these.

Kal

Kr4 has a great point here, you might be better served buying a discounted AVR, like a Yamaha, and using its DACs to decode the 5.1 signals, using it to mix-down to 2-channel, and then going out to your integrated for amp/pre. Lots of prime time shows are broadcast in 5.1, football games too.

Kr4 and Realremo:

Thanks much for your input.

The TV owner's manual shows "Digital Audio Out - PCM/Dolby Digital, fiber optic."

Does the inclusion of Dolby Digital mean that a standard audiophile dac cannot be used?? Tks.

I beleive PCM is 2-channel in this case, Dolby is multi-channel. When Blu Ray players output their multi-channel soundtracks from the front-center-surround outputs on the back panel, that is a PCM signal, I think, but in this case I would think the PCM is 2-channel only.
You know when you're watching a prime time show, like CSI or whatever, and there is an emblem that fades in on bottom that says "broadcast in surround sound?" That is when you need to see if your TV can be set to only output 2-channel (PCM) signals from the optical connection.