multitrack output

Hello everybody,
I abandoned my idea about converting a 24 track audacity project for use on a 5.1 system and begin with a different subject. In order to hear my composition on a spatialized way, I’ve thought of merging my 24 tracks into 8 (3 instruments into one track) and using a 8 track audio interface like for instance ESI Gigaport HD+. But how can I (if possible !) export my 8 Audacity files (converted to .wav format if necessary) into the audio interface ?
is it possible directly out of Audacity or should I use an audio software like for instance Reaper ? (Or Cubase but it’s too expensive for my project!).
Thank you in advance for any suggestion.
Regards
Pierre

Audacity can export multi-channel files, but can only play a maximum of 2 channels (stereo).
VLC can play multi-channel files. https://www.videolan.org

Thank you Steve and apologies for the delay in answering and thanking. The project is in standby now.
Regards
Pierre