Cocktail audio x45 , Digital AES our to in no response.

The one possibility I can think of, other than a defect in the X45, is that there may be a problem with the AES/EBU cable you are using. Which conceivably could result in a marginal condition (perhaps due to an open connection on one of the two signal pins) that would cause the X45’s AES/EBU output to be recognized by some DACs (i.e., the MBL) but not by others.

If you have another XLR cable, even if it is one that is intended for analog applications, for experimental purposes it may be worth trying it in place of the cable you have been using.

Or if you have a multimeter check for continuity between each of the cable’s three pins at one end and the corresponding pin at the other end. And check that none of the pins are shorted to any of the others.

I see in the manual for the X45, btw, that there is a menu setting which enables or disables the AES/EBU output. But since that output works with your MBL DAC it is presumably set to the enabled position.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Hi Al, thank you for your advice . I am planning to get another XLR cable just to rule out. What’s puzzling is that it works  if I use my Cary as cd transport connected to the Canary dac using the AES cable . So the cable works , it’s the Cardas Clear .  Something on the X45 not compatible with the Canary and Cary. I will keep on researching. I appreciate your time and advice. I will let you know if I find the problem. Best regards 
Richard

By the way Al, I did check the cable with a volt meter and they check out good.
regards
Richard 

You have probably already tried all this but was wondering have you made sure AES is enabled,  set digital out to fixed volume, set frequencies to passthrough? I guess the pins are all 1 ground,  2 + , 3 - ? 

Further to djones51 reply above.
Is it possible that the x45 and the MBL DAC share the same pin out, which is why that works, but the Canary,Cary have a different pinout.
Which is why they work together but not x45 to Canary.
If you have all of the manuals to hand you might want to just check first.

Hi Uberwaltz, that might be a possibility the pins are not the same . I called Cardas and spoke with Brian (tech) he said it’s standard but I do not have the pins configuration for cocktail audio. I have Cary’s. I should investigate that further. I thought about this before . Thank you 

Hi Djones, yes I did check all that but need to make sure pins of the cocktail audio. Thanks

If you contact Cocktail Audio about the pin configuration, also ask them what the output impedance of the AES/EBU output is.  If it is grossly different than 110 ohms that could explain things.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al

Hi Al, I emailed cocktail waiting for response. Thanks 

Hello , I finally solved my Issue with the AES not working. Mr. Kim from Cocktail Audio was very helpful and kind enough to send me a new AES outboard , since it’s a very unique problem he wanted to rule this out. It was very easy to replaced it, it’s good that the AES outboard is separate from the Coax. Takes less than 5mins  to replace it. Now it’s working great! I want to thank all of you gentlemen for your kind advice,help and quick response . I hope all is well with you and your family, be safe ! Thank you 
Sincerely
Richard

@uncle_chardy thanks for your update.  So basically the original AES outboard was broken?