[LAU] digital input to stereo receiver, maybe through ethernet

Hi All, I have a pretty ancient stereo receiver that i'm thinking of replacing or supplementing with something newer. It looks like some of the new receivers have an ethernet jack, as well as usb. For example, see these Denons: https://usa.denon.com/us/news/news/177 What i would like to do is get a receiver like that, and put it on my network, and then use it to play audio. Ideally, it could show up on the hosts on the network as some kind of device (like /dev/receiver) to which audio files could be catted. Maybe that's not realistic, but i sure would like to be able to use the receiver from multiple hosts (probably running debian or a derivative) and not have to go through any 3.5 mm or other analog stuff anywhere (not on the computer, and not on the receiver). I wouldn't have to have simultaneous access from the hosts, but would like to plugging and unplugging cables (although i would not want wireless). (Right now about the closest i am to this is with some usb logitech speakers that my system detects and can direct audio to, but i'd like to go through a receiver so that i could use better speakers. However i want to stay all digital and not take any steps through the analog world, and would like to be able to do it from more than one computer.) Does anybody do this? I feel like the answer must be yes, because why would even consumer electronics have so many connectors if not (???). Anyhow, thanks in advance for any advice on whether this can be done, and how to do it (or how close you can get to doing something like this). dan