Suggestions for project (AM/FM radio with amplifier)

[pi_flyer]

All,

Background:
I've been tinkering with an Si4703 FM tuner evaluation board from Sparkfun for some time now.  I have have a decent understanding of how to interface it using a Raspberry Pi.  Anyway, this board only has provision for FM and output for headphones - with the FM antenna built into the headphone wires.

Regardless, the time spent with the Si4703 has me wanting to do more!

Problem statement:
I want AM/FM, and I also want a board with a built in amp to run some small speakers (2 ~ 3 Watt). The AM/FM part is pretty simple, as within the SI47xx family, there are other IC's that provide AM. Particularly I'm settled in on the SI4731. https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/data-sheets/Si4730-31-D50.pdf

Questions:
1. The SI4731 has audio output as both analog or i2s to choose from. Depending on which output to use, will make a decision about the direction the amp I think. Which direction do you think I should go and why?

2. Do I want a class D amplifier? If yes, why?

3. Some of the amplifier ICs have communications capabilities such as i2c to change volume or mute, and others are simpler and just have a gain setting with a resistor. Given the Si4731 has volume control itself is it better to use that instead of the amplifier with i2c volume control?

4. If I use a simple amplifier with a fixed gain, and the volume control from the Si4731 - will there be more problems with hissing noise at low volume settings?