I’m partial to Benz. Had a couple, love the presentation. Just everything you want, in perfect balance. The .4mV output helps a lot with the phono stage as well. If you are even looking at a phono stage in that price range I would be looking at the Decware ZP3. Not sure if .4mV is enough to get by without a SUT but even if you need one the Decware is still the way to go they have a couple SUT and an exchange program which combined with their lifetime warranty would make this an end stage to go with your end table.
https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm As far as the tables go my view is mass uber alles, all else being equal, and would go Kenwood over Rega on that basis alone. Also as far as I am concerned when it comes to turntables appearance matters far more than with any other component. The right one is simply a pleasure to use and this counts for a lot. So if the Rega turns you on then by all means throw my advice out the window and go for it. But if the Kenwood has you all warm and fuzzy then forget all the Rega high tech ad copy and go Kenwood and never look back.
I would not go Aria either way, especially considering you just enjoyed the move away from a fast tilted up sound. Rega leans more fast/tipped up. Great if you like that kind of thing. You will find much more tubey vinyl magic with Kenwood, Benz, and Decware. Way more.