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Amp for Kef reference 1 -Ayre Acoustics AX-5 0 Match?

Curious if anyone has heard the Kef reference 1’s with the Ayre AX-5? I also have an Exasound e62 Dac that has a great volume control and could be used as a preamp.

Want to get as much out of the Kef’s as I can (at 85 db they are a bit finicky and need high current) and looking for an awesome power supply - don’t need a built in DAC or streamer.
I’ve also considered the Coda CSIB as well as the boulder 866.
Any other suggestions, insights or comments would be much appreciated. Looking in the 4 - 5 grand range




cshadow
cshadow OP
21 posts
 
Hi audio friends,

Thank you for the feedback and insight

Love the idea of taking the Ayre and doing the upgrade, however the Coda feels like is a safe bet.  

Will definitely research the constellation as well

Regarding class D - feel like i'm opening a pandora's box here - I've listened to the devialet with the kef's and it felt like listening to math.  The bass was amazing, however the midrange was clinical.  





 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
There are many tactics that a salesperson can employ in attempting to persuade a potential customer to buy their product.  Bad-mouthing the other contenders on the customer's short-list has got to be one of the most unpleasant and also, I hasten to say, counterproductive.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,037 posts
 
yes, sadly so.... 
cshadow OP
21 posts
 
Rarely do I see such childishness and awful salesmanship in hi -end audio - just off putting.

This thread has been helpful and I'd like continue and invite opinions on using my exasound  Dac as a pre amp.  

Wouldn't the Coda TS be more like the CSIB than the .8?  I think if I just had a great power amp that may be a better way to go.  Also I've had a few people I respect tell me that going direct from the DAC to a power amp could be a sonic advantage.

Thoughts and suggestions?  
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
You might try having a telephone conversation with these people, who are obviously into Coda in a serious way.
https://destinationhifi.com/collections/coda-technologies
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