Pass Labs

@jj77,
Funny how all hobbies and our progress in life changes our perspective. When we are younger and do not have the cash to blow, we feel even a $100 cable is a rip-off. When we do better in life and have a good disposable income we feel that a $2000 cable is a very good investment.
So nothing wrong with $85k amps. Forget $85k amps, nothing wrong with $200k amps as well. When you have the resources and the designer has the ability to build cost-no-object machines, everything is a very good investment. You live only once, so why not enjoy it? None of us complain about a $2.5 million Bugatti.

Some in their right mind do .

Qu'ils mangent de la brioche.  That's the problem with the existence of high-priced luxury items?

To not "complain" about an out-of-reach luxury item means one is not in his/her "right mind?"

Seems excessive, regardless of one's wealth, but I'm not sure why there is reason to "complain."  I'll complain if someone hits me with one at 200mph.

More reasonable to complain about the hyper-miler driving that ubiquitous hybrid in the fast lane in moderate traffic and doing more harm to the environment by causing congestion but justifying it to him/herself because it's not directly coming from his/her tailpipe.

Good things come to those who wait.  I've been trading up since the mid 80s. Started with kits and low priced gear. Now have a system I could never afford all at once -- including Passlabs XA mono amps and top of the line Cary tube preamp. Total cost over 30 years is actually quite modest. Imagine spreading car payments over that period of time.
And the stereo was sounding better and better throughout the whole time.

With Nelson Pass help and open use if his first watt schematics 
I build a premium part reference FIRST watt F-6
A dual mono amp 2x of everything  and still 50wpc into 4 ohms.
By far the most helpful amplifier expert to the DIY, community .