preamplifier
noun
pre·am·pli·fi·er (ˌ)prē-ˈam-plə-ˌfī(-ə)r 
: an amplifier designed to amplify extremely weak electrical signals before they are fed to additional amplifier circuits
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The Ultima Pre 3 is an entirely fresh design of preamplifier both inside and out. 
Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 May 2022 The ‘Air’ function emulates the technology found in Focusrite’s legendary ISA professional studio preamplifier. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2021 The $275 Bellari PA255 tube preamplifier would be a good choice, as well. Star Tribune, 23 July 2021 Just like its stablemate, the Denon AVC-X8500HA, Marantz has announced its flagship 13.2-channel AV preamplifier. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 27 May 2021 The audio can then be played through a McIntosh system regardless of when the amplifier or preamplifier was made. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 May 2021 The document said Broadcom had stopped shipping essential chips called preamplifiers to Western Digital. Don Clark, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2018 See More
Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 May 2022 The ‘Air’ function emulates the technology found in Focusrite’s legendary ISA professional studio preamplifier. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2021 The $275 Bellari PA255 tube preamplifier would be a good choice, as well. Star Tribune, 23 July 2021 Just like its stablemate, the Denon AVC-X8500HA, Marantz has announced its flagship 13.2-channel AV preamplifier. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 27 May 2021 The audio can then be played through a McIntosh system regardless of when the amplifier or preamplifier was made. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 May 2021 The document said Broadcom had stopped shipping essential chips called preamplifiers to Western Digital. Don Clark, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above