Can i connect a receiver to a preamp component?

Yes you can connect a receiver to a pre-amp. Uses might be more inputs needed or amps to power more speakers.

You would connect a receiver to a preamp with the tape record outs. This would allow you to use the AM/FM tuner in the receiver as well as the "phono preamp" which you might need if the preamp doesn't.
If you connected the preamp to the receiver with the main outs it would be to use it as a power amp.

Thanks for your response, three prisoner. I appreciate it...

Also, if I were to connect a receiver to a pre-amp component, and I already have bi-powered amp speakers (each speaker has its own built-in amp).... would I be doing some kind of damage to any of the circuitry or to the components involved?

Thanks,

If your speakers are self amped, they have circuitry to convert the speaker level signal back down to a line level. You won't do any damage unless you are doing some unsupported connector modifications.

O.K.. thanks, Jcoultas