Mac Mini s/pdif

is the s/pdif gone from the new Mac mini?

Yes > Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

All of the newer Mac's with a single TRRS audio output port, no longer support optical audio output.

This would be a decideing factor for me.

Why...? It's just a matter of time, before all optical enthusiast's will be using a USB to optical audio adapter.

https://www.google.com/search?client=usb+to+optical+audio+adapter&oq=usb+to+optical+audio+adapter