SPDIF is outputting raw digital signal..that is 1's and 0's type of data. On most recorders you only have a in/out connection. I use a regular rca type cable from my Behringer ddx3216 to my Roland CDX-1 (MV8000's baby brother) until I can invest on a true spdif cable.
S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is a standard audio transfer file format. It is usually found on digital audio equipment such as a DAT machine or audio processing device. It allows the transfer of audio from one file to another without the conversion to and from an analog format, which could degrade the signal quality.
The most common connector used with an S/PDIF interface is the RCA connector, the same one used for consumer audio products. An optical connector is also sometimes used.
one question: i can use the S/PDIF only for the stereo sum of the MPC 2000XL. Am i missing something, or is this the only possibility (no way to subout some sounds through that?)
no i don't think so.
This link tells you all about SPDIF technical stuff.
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html