Phone preamp question

Glad it's worked for you. 

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?

No - almost certainly the wall wart itself would be fine. 

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

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

Most sources output 1V, and most preamp and passives need that cut that back 10-40dB depending on time of day, dirty looks, mood, etc.

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

Yeah, that was kind of redundant....

😀 yeah…

But it is pretty cool that it worked out for you.

Many phono stages only have enough adjustment to load a cartridge, so it worked out well for you, and I suspect that it sounds just dandy.

Well done sir!

Additionally - it could potentially not sound not as good with a passive shoved in the middle, depending on how it is trying to drive the amp(s). The Bellari would have a better (lower) output impedance than a passive, so if it is working a champ, then maybe do not start second guessing it?

Just score it as a win.

@thecarpathian

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?

Most definitely. High quality audio is always directly associated with high quality power supplies.