[PD] Max audio streams and output

[Carl Seleborg]

Hi all,

I'm currently working on the early stages of an audio installation 
featuring around 46 independent sound sources. I would like to have good 
control of each individual sound source. On the other hand, I don't plan 
to send different audio streams to each source. What I have in mind is 
have about 16 audio streams routed more or less how I want to the 46 
speakers.

My question is : what's the biggest audio setup that's been made with 
PD? I have no doubt it can handle 16 streams of audio gratiously, but 
could some sort of audio routing matrix be implemented in PD efficiently 
that would route 16 in to 46 out?

If any of you has already done something with so many audio outputs, 
could (s)he tell me what kind of audio gear was used? I need no quality 
components, because the speakers will be rather cheap.

Thanks in advance.

Carl Seleborg