Here's my take on it.

"A" had better stereo imaging, ie., better balance left and right.

"B" had a better - 'cleaner' - sound but the majority of the sound was coming out of the left speaker so the stereo image was not as accurate imo, ie., the balance was not as good (left and right).

Terry you say you recorded them the same with no EQ or Effects added yet there is a distinct difference in the two recordings.

Here's my hypothesis:

The "A" recording sounded to me like it had some 'hiccups' in it, ie., - it didn't sound as flowing and natural as the "B" recording (spatial, presense, and cleaner sound laid aside.) So I could be wrong but I think "A" was done on the Computer with Sonar and "B" was done on the Yamaha AW4416 or whichever one you have. I am thinking the 'hiccups' were caused by a Computer that is possibly not fast enough to keep up with Audio feed coming into it and being recorded in Sonar. Thus the 'hiccups'. That is just a theory of course. Or it could be just the opposite where the Hardware based recorder is possibly an older model that has some kinks in it (older technology/flawed design, bad model, etc.) thereby causing the hiccups in "A". But I still think "A" was done on the Computer with Sonar. Just a hunch.

Best regards,
Mike