Having owned VAC gear I would lean towards #1. You will get nice system synergy and a good dose of the VAC house sound. The speaker choice would be DeVore, but in addition to the Nines I would seriously consider the Orangutan.
System #3 is interesting as well. I have heard Leben on a few occasions and had some interest in them at one point, but went with VAC instead.
System #3 is interesting as well. I have heard Leben on a few occasions and had some interest in them at one point, but went with VAC instead.