has BAT priced itself out of the market?

All points well taken. Is a Rolex President Really worth $32k based on price of gold and parts to mfg?? Its attractive because it's not accessible to everyone. Does a $5k bottle of wine really taste that much better than a good $100 bottle? The key is how would you know if you can't afford the buy in cost. I think the high end audio market is going in the same direction. Those that can afford the price of admission can convince themselves that they have the best money can buy without feeling the need to evaluate other lower cost options because like everything else, the more it costs the better it is right?? Wrong.....

Wwchange, the high end audio has picked up this direction decades ago if not earlier.
For same performance you can spend different amounts of money. There are marketting areas virtually for anything you want to sell or build.
My retired dad goes to the salon that discounts haircuts half-way to the senior citizens, retired and students/pupils. Public transportation is very often the same way.

Another words adjusting price to the specific market area is very common practice. By mega-uplifting price VK simply targets wealthier crowd or money-no-option as he grown confident to be in the list of 'best money-no-option products'. Those who will purchase it first off less-likely will pay MSRP can't you figure? Somwhere there will be one dealer or VK himself who will start promotional sale at certain discount percentage and this percentage can grow pretty high which is another marketting maneuver yet to be...

They are matching market pricing from their competitors for high-end tube amps. Maybe someday they may fill in the gap between the VK-55SE and the REX. With the increase in prices over the past few years, you can't even afford the better used mono blocks that are going for $15k now.

As far I know, BAT belongs to Music Direct. VK just works for them, and has nothing to do with their prices anymore.

I'm just glad I bought my BAT shit when I did! Otherwise I'd still be Listening to my old Pass Aleph 0's which didn't sound bad by the way... Pass has gone in the same direction with XS line of amps and pre's... $85k for a pair of mono blocks is a far cry from the Aleph 0 mono's for $8k back in the mid 90's. I guess it's all relative as gas was $1.10 a gallon back then too! Its what ever the current market will bare. I ain't mad at'um...