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

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

The csib is exactly the .8 plus a built in preamppr
oug builds them special for us so you can go amp direct or through the pre amp board

As per disparaging any other brand we have tested kef ref 1s with many different amps we we are kef experts we have almost every kef series on display

We were also one of the first dealers to premier the blades

Also as mentioneded we heard an aria on kefs as well well the older reference products
So we have a bit of experience with that line as well

Going direct to amp from a DAC is not my preference. I had done that for a few years. 

The following preamps improved the sound for me.

- BAT VK42 SE
- Benchmark HPA4
- Even my Peachtree NOVA 150 integrated was better than DAC direct

The sound at low volumes tend to be awful with DAC direct. I listen a lot very late at night and I hated it with a DAC direct. With a preamp the volume at low levels was so much better. The HPA4 is the best at this.

I use a great headphone system now late at night but with my new speakers and the HPA4 I sometimes just turn the volume down (no headphones) since it sounds very good.  I would never do that with DAC direct.