Something along the lines of an exaSound e28 would be great.
I want multichannel audio. I dont want to invest in a new pre pro every time some new standard comes out. What I'm playing with now is let jriver process everything in an HTPC. EQ, room calibration, convolution, ATMOS, DTS, bass management, everything. If something new comes out it will eventually be able to be processed by a PC in software. What I then need is a way to get high quality digital audio from the PC to the amplifiers.
You don't have to deal with the "changing morass of proliferating standards." Let someone else worry about the software. Connectivety doesnt need to be daunting either. its a computer. Connect in what ever way you want to so long as it suits your needs. What I really want is a multichannel modi. The biggest question is whether there is enough demand or is it to much of a niche? I think you may be perfectly positioned to turn this niche market into something much bigger. People are tired of buying equipment that is outdated as soon as they get it home. If you can help give people an alternative I think it could be very profitable. Look at what miniDSP is doing. You should fairly easily be able to scale the tech as well. You sell a unit for six channels for 5.1, and a unit with 13 channels for 7.2.4 or whatever makes sense. Or you make them modular so you can daisy chain them any time someone wants to add additional channels. Those additional channels could even be different dedicated zones. You wouldn't care you are just making them as scaleable DACs and letting folks like jRiver worry about the software.
I really believe this is the direction we are headed. Pre/pros are basically computers now already that we can't upgrade and everytime something new like HDR, or Dirac Live or ATMOS comes out it makes our equipment obsolete. To me this would be a logical progression for you to take.
Just an idea.