Even one chip would be super useful. More would be cool. 8 would be awesome as that's a full bank. And 16 would be super awesome as that's a full board. So keep me in mind when samples start popping up. You'll get them back eventually, if you want, unless I blow one up or do something retarded.

Ya, pretty much.
I've got a skeleton of the firmware coded and I'm filling in bits now. I'm waiting on PIC chips so I start a cycle of code/program/test. They're already on the way from digikey. I'm doing some board changes. When I think I won't find any more errors I'll order a test batch. I've got an order in at mouser for other parts like power supply, connectors, lots of caps. That will come in later. I'm off to Bkk in a couple days to pick up some stuff already arrived.