Term: Preamp 

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  1.  Microphone preamps are amplifier circuits or devices used to boost the level of a microphone (typically millivolts) up to line level (typically 1.23 volts). Preamps can provide phantom power for condenser microphones and may also provide high-pass filters, pads, and polarity inverters.
  2. Home stereo preamps provide input switching between audio sources like turntables, music players, and video systems and route the source to the speakers or amplifier. 
  3. Phono preamps are necessary for turntables and provide the proper impedance matching and frequency response for the cartridge. Phone preamp circuits may be built into home stereo preamps and DJ mixers.