The Allies have to contend with Axis having Panthers stock, lethal tank hunters with great armor, and OKW has the Tiger II as a stock unit. This means the SU-85 and M36 Jackson must be able to contend with both of these effectively, as it is the allies strongest defence. The King Tiger is highly effective in it's Spearhead mode, and the Panther is the undeniable Dive champion. If the SU-85 and M36 cannot shock these units, then the SU-85 and M36 themselves will fall prey to the vehicles they exist to counter.
At least with USF there is an exeption. On all the other factions,
doctrinal units are better than stock ones but Jacksons are able to beat any USF doctrinal counterpart, OKW having stock KT is just the mirror balance. Both balance each other.
Panthers on the other side are meant to be the superior option amongst all mediums and each factions has its solution for them. Thats why panthers are not stock heavy tanks but rather premium medium with good AT, the armor nerfs it has received proves my assumption.
SU-85 is pretty balanced by itself and promotes combined arms tactics.
Therefore there is no real issue if we also consider all heavies are tech bound now