VAC preamps - too expensive?

Some units are highly recomended regardless of cost. I have no experience with VAC, but if you have the cash go for it.
I would, after listening lately to a Kondo G70 and what a preamp of that kind could do to a system.

Nothing is too expensive for the 1%ers!

I'd like to clear something up about myself. I am not a monetarily wealthy person. I'm a letter carrier. I've never in my career,seen a rich mailman. I buy just about everything used. However,those that have created significant wealth,especially those that have worked WAY harder than I was willing to work,deserve the rewards of their hard work. I'm not here to ridicule someone that is better off than I. Nor am I here to ridicule someone that wants to hold on to their communion money until retirement,kudos to you. When did it become fashionable to judge folks on what they are able to purchase? Next thing you know,we'll be judging folks by the color of their skin. 

I’ve been dabbling in building and modifying amps for years. I can tell you that by replacing resistors with bulk foils (like VAC), choosing a few Miflex film caps and some choice tubes, all for say, $500, you can increase the performance of an amp whereby it may seem worth a $50,000 price difference in model lineup.

If you are filthy rich it’s not expensive....however if you are a poor middle class slob with a mortgage, wife, kids, bills, etc...then yeah, those prices are ridiculous...
There are many wonderful "affordable" products available to the "average audiophile"... the list is far too large to put it here...plus these products will get most 90% or more "there"...no need to spend your life savings...however, here are a few, imo, giant killers....
-Origin Live Aurora with Onyx or silver tonearm
-Hana el or sl mc cartridge
-2m bronze or black cartridge
-Tannoy Eaton speakers
-Sugden Signature A21se pure class A integrated....
-Musical fidelity v90 dac
-Border Patrol R2R dac
-Music Hall mmf-7.3 or 9.3
-Akg K550 closed back headphones
-Graham slee Novo headphone amp
-Tavish design the classic or Vintage tubed phono preamp
-Pro-ject tube box DS2 tubed phono preamp
-Ear 834P tubed phono preamp
-wharfedale Linton Heritage
-wharfedale Diamond 225’s
-Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 integrated...
-Any of the Marantz reference cd/sacd players...
-Marantz pm14s1 or 15s1 integrated...
-Audiolab cdt6000....
I could go on and on....