IPOD with USB? Apple TV as music server? Options?

So let me start a new issue.. So we have about 1000 ways to skin a cat with Hard drive based audio storage and playback now.. But getting to the point of most effective, compact, and of course unaltered playback of the recordings stored how about an IPOD with a Usb interface like all the other portable phones and devices on the market with a mini USB to USB 1.2 or whatever standard sized cable conversion?

It would seem to me that then you could get a hold of this pure digital stream out of the ipod unit just the same as people are doing with lossless files from a PC based unit and have no real need for a Wadia dock or similar and you could plug right into a DAC with USB input just the same and direct as possible?

Honestly I don't own, or even know anything about this kids device that has turned audiophile and mainstream over the past 5 years so maybe this already exists..

I was also considering an APPLE TV unit which seems to do it all in the way of holding your tunes and sending them out via a OPtical cable, with the plus of actually being able to download and store 1080p movies for a reasonable price..

However I will wait on that approach as I think 2 things need to be improved in the next Gen Apple TV as well with having also its own digital out via USB, and also have a Dual monitor out, as from what I understand after calling Apple on this they automatically sense the HDMI main hookup if used and will not transmit a signal from the old Component video out, which if they could parallel both monitor outs that would ideal for the audiophile server useage as you could put a 80 dollar 7 inch LCD at the listening postion for navigating the operating system without having to fire up a large screen for music useage only Make sense?

I realize too that many will try to do this whole Ipod touch screen and use as a remote server etc.. adding more money and units that can be cut out of the game

I am just looking at the lowest amount of cables, conversions, and quality of course for the money as digital is going to be cheaper and cheaper, more and more options in the future Also the addition of a blue tooth type interface maybe would help on the Apple TV but it does at least have the wireless card for the network at least.

Thanks for your opinions and options Basically I would like to use a transport with blu ray, and all audio formats running into a quality dac via coax digital, and then have a server(or apple tv, Ipod) capable of feeding from a USB cable etc And have everything at the fingertips in under 3 units on the shelf or coffee table, and very low amounts of excess cables.