Convert USB to SPDIF

You can get low cost options like a  Behringer UCA222 for part time duty. 

I've got the vlink mentioned above.  How about $50 shipped?

Why don’t you do a Roon/Pi setup with a HiFi Berry output card?

https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/boards/hifiberry-digiplus-standard-version/

Try reset on the Node.
It worked on mine.

Or just try the $20 one short term.
You're already sacrificing SQ playing a laptop.

The laptop-Dragonfly-mini cable into the analog inputs of the AVR seems to work o.k.  I had bought a mini cable from Best Buy late yesterday but then didn’t have much time for comparative listening.  I don’t use this system for streaming very much, it’s primarily for video and surround sound music.
  Searching through my pile of unused equipment I came across a Musical Fidelity VLink.  I had bought one when it came out because I had a DAC that didn’t play asynchronous USB.  If I remember it worked for a few days then would sputter during replay.  I think it was a demo unit from a dealer who was going out of business so no refund.  Ultimately I bought an Oppo 105 which had asynchronous USB