Audio Systems: home stereo hookup, stereo hookup, left hand corner

Question
I have a yamaha home stereo with the following components that connect together. cd player, tape player/recorder, stereo receiver, equalizer, and amp. how do i properly hook all of these together correctly. such as do i go thru the amp or receiver for my cd and tape

Answer
Without knowing the model numbers of each I cannot give you a specific direction (all equipment is a little different; the don't all have the same spigots and same number of them).

Secondly, there is no "correct" way; much depends on what you want to accomplish with it.  

But, for general hookup you would want to do the following:

ONE: The receiver is the central focus of the system and should be used as the control point.
TWO:  The cd should connect to the receiver cd or aux input.  The tape should be connected to the tape monitor ins and outs.
THREE:  The equalizer should be connected between the audio outs of the receiver (is it a receiver or a control preamp?) and the inputs to the amp.  I am assuming the amp is stereo and it is driving the speakers.

Then, take a look at the diagrams referenced below for further suggestions:

http://yamaha.com/yec/customer/hookupdiagram.html?CTID=5010070

and

http://www.compusa.com/specials/promos/entertainment/default.asp
(bottom left hand corner of the page lists many options; click on the link you want and up comes color pdfs to guide you)

Hope this helps,
C