Phone preamp question

Relatively speaking, of course...

And I of course wrote 'Phono'. A pox upon autocorrect!

Thanks all!

Didn't think a non powered passive would do anything.

Since it won't hurt anything, when the phono pre comes in I'll hook it direct. Won't have high expectations.

Jerry, I'll check out that pre. 

This is for a simple interim turntable system, so no big spending.

Thanks again, guys!

Just got it all set up, and with the gain setting not a quarter of the way on the Bellari, it's already loud enough and sounding pretty darn good. Too late to crank it, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the volume level. Forgot to mention, the Bellari came with a custom and extremely robust separate power supply to use in place of the original, anemic wall wart. (Included)

I wonder if this has something to do with its performance?

Anyway, thank you all again for your input.

I have never seen a powered passive.(??)

Yeah, that was kind of redundant....

These units have been heavily modified by many but the biggest bang for your buck is a better tube, then the power supply.

Yes, that’s next. The 12ax7 that comes with it is a ’Ruby’, whomever the heck makes that, which I’m certain can be improved upon. Going to get an nos low microphonics Telefunken from a guy close to me here in Connecticut. Too bad it’s not a 12au7 in the Bellari as I’ve got many really nice nos ones already.

@holmz , good idea! I’ll switch them out one of these nights and see if I can hear a difference. Just keep in mind we’re not dealing with real high end stuff here. I'll also report back on the tube switch out.

Thanks, yogi!

Yes, I believe that’s about as close as it gets to the 7316...

That price is mighty steep for a single tube.

@corelli ,

Thank you also for that tidbit about powering it up before the amp.

Ughhh! There is no such thing as a "passive preamp". The two words are mutually exclusive,

Sorry @sleepwalker65 , going to have to disagree with you on that one!

Anybody know if Amperex makes a 12ax7(ecc83) version of their 12au7/7316?

@yogiboy ,

True, but can be quite the crapshoot on there regarding tubes as I'm sure you know.

@sleepwalker65 ,

You are indeed correct and I am wrong. The very definition of a preamp makes passive preamp an oxymoron.

@yogiboy ,

Agreed. I've bought several on EBay myself with zero problems.

I guess my point was, which I didn't convey well is given the voluminous amount of sellers there, as always, check seller feedback and transaction numbers.

If anyone is still interested, I just replaced the "Ruby" that came with the Bellari with an nos Amperex. Sounds really, really good. The quality sound coming out of this little pre is really something for the price. Also a testament to what a higher quality tube can mean for the sound in a given system.

What the set up is:

Dual 1264 turntable in pristine condition I picked up for $100.

Odyssey Audio Stratos designed by Symphonic Line amplifier in pristine condition for $250.

Bellari vp130 mk2 with custom power supply for $200.

Nos Amperex tube for $20.

B&W CDM1NT’s bookshelves and B&W ASW 650 subwoofer I already had that are really for home theater duty and various cables I already had.

So for a $570 layout, some mighty fine sound!