...the connector costs rather more than that, in fact.

I've come across several references to the incredibly expensive docking connector that the empeg uses. Would a standard Centronics parallel printer connector serve your needs and/or cost less? It's got something like 36 pins available, and ought to be available in quantity at low cost.

Of course, when arguing from a position of total ignorance, it's easy for me to tell you how to do things.

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"