The term 'STEREO SYSTEM COMPONENT, FOR SHORT' can be answered by two crossword solutions: PREAMP (6 letters) and AMP (3 letters). A preamp is a type of electronic amplifier that is used to boost the signal from a source device such as a microphone or turntable before it is sent to an output device such as a speaker. An amp, short for amplifier, is a device that increases the power of a signal, usually audio, so that it can be heard more clearly. Both preamps and amps are essential components of a stereo system.