Amplifier for Sonus Faber Cremona M

You heard the speakers, liked how they sounded and also when compared to ML and B&W, liked their looks...

so what was driving them?

Quicksilver silver88 are magical. Jallen

They won't run you anywhere near the amount you are budgeting, but the Pathos integrated monoblocked works very well with the Cremora M's. I've been using that combo for a couple of years. Maybe because both lines are produced in Italy they blend together really well. By using two Pathi you get plenty of power and I could not ask for a more musical sound.

Thanks guys for your responses so far. I made the mistake of saying McIntosh 6900, I meant to say 6600. Anyways, the 6900 would be great too if I could find a nice used one.
@Stevecham, The B&W's were hooked up to by far the nicest McIntosh gear in the room. Monoblocks and I believe solid state pre. The ML's were also hooked up to McIntosh, but it was a one piece 3 channel home theatre amp and home theatre pre, albeit still expensive. Sounds like an unfair advantage for the ML's. But the SF Cremona M's were only hooked up to a Marantz PM 15S2 integrated amp and matching CD player. Even though the Marantz's price tag was much cheaper and I would think not equivalent to either of the McIntosh set ups, the Cremona M's still sounded the best to my ears. I think the Marantz was good enough to showcase the Cremona M's strengths.
@Jallen, Quicksilver always intrigued me but there are no dealers around here.
@Vgrubb, same goes for Pass, no dealers around. I really need to make it to some shows!
@Rudge, heard the Pathos Classic One Mk2 before. I assume that's the integrated you are talking about? I liked it. I have read good things about people using two of them. Something to consider. Although, I might just look into the Pathos Logos then.
Thanks again