S/PDIF sounds more analog than AES/EBU

I've done some comparisons IMS with AES/EBU and S/PDIF (RCA) cables and find that S/PDIF generally provided a deeper soundstage with a smoother and more relaxed presentation. The AES/EBU were more dynamic and upfront with a wider stage. Preferences depended on the individual cable brands as well as the particular recording I was listening to. Mostly though, I've settled on using S/PDIF at present (though my Tara 'One' has a BNC on the source end).

Tpsonic:
Could you explain in more detail why having both types of cables connected at the same time would affect each other, since one is selecting and de-selecting the inputs. All my comparisons were done with both cables connected and toggling between inputs.

While it is okay to have both cables feeding the DAC, one should never have both cables feeding an amp while using the toggle switch on the amp to flip from one feed to the other.

This can be a disaster as most amps do not shut down one feed as they source to the other.

While making a comparison,it is easy to toggle between two cables to make a decision.But, if both cables are in the system,they will affect one another-as they both will present a load to the transport and/or dac.
Indepently evaluate each cable,one at a time.Your results may not change,as I prefer the S/pdiff myself.More from a dialectric position and sonics.

The reciever chip would be the same but the interface would be different from the input connector to the chip, and of course you are using different cables. Any or all of this could cause it to sound diferent. You may prefer the AES if you used a different cable. Isn't audio fun.

As far as I know the only difference in digital data transmission is jitter. Jitter manifests itself by creating side bands at very low level - very audible since not harmonically related to their root frequency. It can make impression of "lively" sound but I'm not certain how it changes imaging.