11R AES/EBU Struggle

I'll start with what I think is the answer.



The Audient Mico's SPDIF and AES/EBU output cannot be used with the 11R because the 11R carries the clock data on both IN/OUT ports of its SPDIF-AES/EBU connectors. Since the Mico has only SPDIF-AES/EBU outputs, there is no way for it to get correct timing?



The problem



I have 11R with up to date firmware, drivers and Expansion Pack running under Windows 8.1 with plenty of power and ProTools 11.3. I use the 11R as my main interface. I wanted to take the R/L inputs from the Mico pre and send the converted signal out its AES/EBU output into the 11R AES/EBU input.



Can't be done. I set the sample rates the same; I tried 11R/PT on "Internal" and "AES/EBU" setting. Nothing but white noise. UGH.



I thought the Mico manual reads that it handles the clock at 48kHz and below? BNU Word Clock connector only needed for higher?



Anyway, I can't get the Mico to work with the 11R digitally like I want. Not even SPDIF. Analog in to 11R is fine.



Am I correct, the clocking for 11R needs both its digital inputs and outputs to be connected to the other device to get timing correct?



If yes I am disappointed as I wanted to use the Mico's converters.