This is a really sweet system with the tube phono, preamp and amp stages warming up the benz/clearaudio front end. Tremendous dynamics. Will install Bluenote Borghese unipivot tonearm when I can find the right fitting for the turntable.
System edited: Purchased used Clearaudio Champion turntable with Graham Robin arm and Benz Micro Glider HO cartridge. Big step up that goes great in the system. Previously added the Bottlehead Straight 8 speakers with cabinet built from plans and added lacewood veneer. Great speakers, especially with tubes.
The Clements RT-7 is rarely seen for sale. Only one I have seen in recent years was advertised for sale this year by Toys From The Attic of White Plains, NY. Easily driven by moderate cost, moderate power tube amp like my oldtimer Cary SLA70 Sig., and tubes enhance the ribbon tweeter magic. Haven't heard the VMPS for comparison.
Your projected ribbon speaker upgrade should complement your Shure cartridge since the ribbon tweeters in my own Clements RT-7's take well to this Shure in my phono system. You have put together a fine system without breaking the bank.
Thank you for your feedback. I heartily encourage trying some DIY-it both teaches you about how they work and give you the satisfaction of actually building something that sounds good. If you haven't built before, I would suggest starting with the preamplifier, not the amplifier. They are more straightforward. The bottlehead site is tremendous for help with building the foreplay (there are animations of the process by Joe Yellico that are really great). There is much less information on the building of the other kits (like the seduction I am now building).
Very nice system! The Shure V15 was my first "serious" cartridge, and I enjoyed listening to it. I have been considering dong my own Bottlehead amp, since meeting some great DIY people this year at VSAC. It (DIY) strikes me as a more active way to enjoy our hobby.
