I drove mine (since sold) with a Modwright LS36.5 and the results were excellent. Could be found used for a bit more than the top of your range, but well worth it IMO. They don't come up that often on the used market though.
Preamp recommendation $2500-$3000 for ref 1000's
Thanks in advance for your help. Speakers are Tyler Linbrook sigs floorstanders. I am looking for new or used and remote is important. I tried a Dehavilland Ultraverve 2 but did not work well with the bel cantos due to an impedance mismatch. I will be listing the ultraverve shortly and anyone using the ref 1000's please let me know what pre is working for you. Thanks