Hi Dave,
To be perfectly honest, I have not heard any of the HK digital path receivers. My personal preference (at this time at least) is that I prefer less digital, more analog, when it comes to pure 2-ch music listening. I love the analog amps in the HK receivers but we do have customers having reported that they absolutely love their digital amps with Ascends.
Wish I could be of more help... I would say your best bet is to have a quality listening session with both (if possible) and see which you prefer.
Good Sound To You!
David Fabrikant
www.ascendacoustics.com
