Several kinds of precursor powders with varied phase assemblages were prepared by pre-annealing the commercial BSCCO 2223 powders in pure Ar, O 2 or mixed gas (7.5% O 2 +92.5% Ar) at elevated temperatures, and then were made into monofilament Bi-2223/Ag tapes. Annealing the powders in pure Ar at 700°C for 10h greatly retarded the 2223 phase formation at the initial reaction stage, consequently lowered the J c value of the fully processed Bi-2223/Ag tapes. The sample fabricated by using the precursor powder pre-annealed in 7.5% O 2 showed the best J c property (25kA/cm 2 , 77K, 0T). The microstructures of the samples made from various precursor powders were examined, which were correlated to their different phase formation behaviors and transport properties.