It is not that the batteries cause such an in rush of current. It is that the amp draws that much, and the batteries easily deliver.
I believe later units will have a soft start feature that will minimize the initial draw. I think Seth said that a soft start can be added to the older units as well.
Good idea on the pass around and very generous of Dean to send it around. I think you guys will be pleasantly surprised, especially if using these in a fairly high end system.
If you want to get my full thoughts on the batteries, and the amp to for that matter, then you can find it here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68341.msg632559#msg632559While I am offering the battery power supply kit. It is more of a service to the Virtue customers than anything else. I don't make anything on it. I just forward the info over to Dodd Audio and he drop ships them out. He makes a few bucks on the deal but not much.