OBVIOUSLY- The manufacturers(with VERY few exceptions) consider a linestage that CAN provide gain(requires a power supply or "active" circuit) to a signal passed through it(AMPLIFY said signal), whatever the source, a "PREAMPLIFIER." A linestage with ALL passive components in the signal path (resistors, capacitors, inductors), and no connections to a power supply/active circuit, a "PASSIVE LINESTAGE." Wasn't there a song titled, 'How Long WILL This Go On?' Maybe I'm thinking of, 'How Long HAS This Been Going On?' Yeah- that must be it! LOL!!