I forgot about HDMI too, probably because my old laptop doesn't have it.
I use HDMI from my main computer into an Outlaw 975 surround processor and it works just fine for audio only programs like radio or podcasts. I usually have to set the processor to Stereo to get any sound.
The laptop sound card HDMI properties may have to be tweaked but it should work.
Adding outboard DAC's like the Dragonfly or stand alone boxes are supposed to sound better.
By the way, what speakers do you have? You could invest $1000's into a digital front end but never hear it if your speakers are old Advent's.