SQL Mobile 2005 Merge Replication with SQL 2005 x64

I am having trouble with getting Merge Replication up with a new SQL 2005 x64 Server.  I already have it running smoothly with SQL 2005 Mobile and SQL 2000, but I want to migrate the backend to SQL 2005.

There is a front end server running IIS 6.0 on Windows 2003 x86 Standard (Server A) with SSL required and Basic Authentication set as the only authentication method (default Domain and Realm are also set).  The backend server is running SQL 2005 x64 Standard on Windows 2003 x64 Standard (Server B).  The mobile devices are running Windows Mobile 5.0 with SQL 2005 Mobile (Client).

From both a standard Windows XP workstation (IE) and the Client (PIE) I can browse to the HTTPS site on port 444 for the sqlcesa30.dll on Server A and get a response in normal and diag modes.  The diag gives success in all but the 8.0 Database Reconciler (I didn't install the SQL 2000 replication components on Server A, my understanding is they should not be needed).  Sql Server Module Versions are as follows: sqloledb.dll - 2000.86.1830.0, 9.0 replrec.dll - 2005.90.1399.0, 9.0 replprov.dll - 2005.90.1399.0, 9.0 msgprox.dll - 2005.90.1399.0.

The publication on Server B is enabled for Web Synchronization and the Snapshop Agent has run.  There are no reported errors on that side.

Since I ran into issues getting synchronization to run I have opened up permissions fairly wide in this test environment.  The PAL and the Database both have the user I am attempting to sync with listed (I am using the Administrator account in the test domain).  I have opened full rights on the Snapshot share on Server B to Everyone (both NTFS ACL on the directory and the Share permissions).  The virtual directory on Server A containing the sqlcesa30.dll has also been opened very wide, and the Application Pool does have access to it.

The Client is running a custom C#.NET 2005 application.  With the exception of changes to set the application to sync with the Server A/B duo instead of the production servers, this application is identical to the code currently being used in production with SQL 2000 Standard.

The persistent error that I am getting from the Client being thrown by SQL 2005 Mobile when I attempt to sync is "An instance of the SQL Server Reconciler error object cannot be created.  Try reinstalling the replication components."

SQL 2005 Mobile components on Server A are set to Logging Level 3 but not returning any errors that I can see to troubleshoot with.  All replication components appear to be installed and operational, although I have re-installed them.

Besides the obvious question of how to solve the error listed above, is there an issue with am x85 front end IIS 6.0 server talking to an x64 back end SQL 2005 server for merge replication over HTTPS with Windows Mobile 5.0 clients running SQL 2005 Mobile

Based on everything I have read off the MSDN Forums, MSDN articles, BOL, log files, and web searches it seems like I should have an operational synching topology, however clearly I have missed something because I have yet to get a successful subscription through to the publication.

Any insight/enlightenment would be greatly appreciated, this seems to be a very narrow and specific area of replication and mobility and information is relatively sparse from my experience so far.

Thanks!