[microsound] High channel playback configs

[David Kim-Boyle]

Hi all,

I am working on a sound installation that requires over 40 independent  
audio playback channels, each of which is routed to a dedicated  
loudspeaker. Does anyone have any suggestions for hardware  
configurations for such a setup? The audio needs to be synchronized  
but doesn't need to be of particularly high resolution. I'm  
considering building some PIC wav players for the job but wonder if  
anyone with relevant experience might know of feasible hardware  
alternatives.

Thanks,

David