What it really comes down to is the final complexity which as I say, I haven't seen. I did a bit of a search and found a couple of posts by Hugo about having a PCB for correct impedances etc so a different PCB may not be that wise. Releasing the PCB design to the public would be a big help.

This is the actual tuner module:
http://www.microtune.com/products/1384_Series.html

Is SMT really that much of a problem? I work with SMT by hand quite often and don't have a real problem.

Also if there is a PIC inside, the source or binary for programming it would have to come from the empeg/sonicblue guys I would say. A kit would come with these preprogrammed ready for soldering.

Timeframe would be fairly long I would say. I would guess something like at least 4-6 months given lead times on some components these days.

Although I don't think there will be much problem, what it basically comes down to is co-operation by the empeg/sonicblue pppl/