AES/EBU. The trace is finally revealed. Is it really superior to other digital outputs?

In this video the AES/EBU trace is revealed and is compared to the SPDIF one. Given, that the player is otherwise well engineered, this I think is what can be expected in players where the transformer is being used to generate the balanced AES/EBU output.
This might even be true to some extent, for analogue balanced outputs of some players where transformers are employed - like in some old Marantz units. Maybe the outcome is not compromised to same extent, because of the lower frequency of audio as compared to the digital output (which is around 1.5 MHz), but the outcome could be similar.
To me, the current blanket wisdom that electrical outputs (SPDIF and AES/EBU) are superior to optical (Toslink) are simply untrue, because it all depends on the implementation of the output circuitry. It can never be taken for granted that the output of a particular player is good based just on its pedigree or even by looking at a circuit diagram. The only real way to know, is to measure it and see the trace with an oscilloscope.

[@joshbassett]

Always love to hear your insights.

[@jrworpjrworp7254]

You are right