It worked!!!
Ok, went back for another mixing session just now. (I take a break from mixing when I get frustrated by technical crap, and instead just focus on practicing and performing for a bit).
First I set it up with the clock on the v-verb set to external. Crucial. Then I hit record and I actually got a recognizable track of my voice recorded! Although the levels were messed up and also there was this hard marching in the background for some reason. I realized it was because I left on the metronome as I was painting the verb!
Anyways first I stuck a headphones into one of the analog output jacks on the verb to test it, and when I played through it with my soloed track, (using the spidf out of my macbook) I actually got a clear track played through! So the spidf does indeed work that's a major victory. This inspires to buy another spidf cable so I can take advantage of full digital.
Regarding the sound of the verb. I thought it sounded really good, but wasn't overwhelmed or anything. I still have yet mess with the settings and really get them right though, so its too late to say anything.