[PD] multichannel output w. ac3jack + lin/osx?

[dmotd]

hi all,
  am just wondering if anyone has toyed with the new project 
  ac3jack with a jacked-pd for ac3/spdif surround output? 
    http://essej.net/ac3jack/
  excusing my ignorance in the world of surround, but i was
  just wondering if it may make multichannel output that little
  bit cheaper and accessible - but possibly at the cost of CPU?  
  would try it myself but have no 5.1 equipment at my disposal.
  anyone had any experience?
ciao,
dmotd.