How do I connect my components using a 5 switch switch box?

My pre-amp is a Cary SLP-05.  I think of the vertical 5 switch switch box as the top number one switch is the power in. Then each of the following switches represents an analog input. Providing power I use the tuner output to switch number one. So that provides an opening to the switchbox itself. Each of the switches are analog inputs when the number is selected. But, I am missing some thing that seems so simple a design. If each switch input is unto itself then one of the analog inputs must be an actual input to one of component inputs on the Cary SLP-05. Since I have 3 tape machines should all 3 be ganged on the tape that is actual input?  Some where along the way my senior mind is getting lost despite so many years with music systems. Help me please!