The FMR Audio PBC-6A is the physical size of an RNC and the sonic size of a good LA-2A... then again, I'm a bit biased as it was designed for me a decade or so ago when I still worked at Mercenary Audio [notice the face panel colors... if you ever heard of Mercenary, that was its color scheme].At the end of the day -- the linking functions are extraordinary [yes, it can do 5.1], the sonic textures are phenomenal... and the general audio quality is totally professional [not that the RNC's isn't... but PBC-6A's is a damn sight better]. For what you get in a little box -- you can't beat the "bang for the buck" factor... this thing is way more versatile and far better sounding than an 1176 [unless you get one that has been through the Record Plant, Media Sound, or Power Station modifications... but those ones are few and far between... and expensive as fuck IF you can find one].Peace
What about the Hairball 500 series 1176's (called the "FET/500" series)? They make A, D and F revisions. Could easily get 8-10 of those in a 3RU lunchbox chassis.If you are a DIY'er (as I assume you are with the SCA N72's - I love my SCA racks!) you can get them fairly cheap, and get the eight 1176's you desire in the space you require