Disk drive embodiments with common lead connections in the slider, suspension, and preamplifier are described. The arm electronics IC includes a preamplifier with single-ended input from the set of signal traces that include a common signal return lead for the plurality of read transducers (readers) in the slider. Two embodiments of the preamps are described that include a single-ended design and a pseudo-single-ended design. Each embodiment supplies the required bias to each read transducer using an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) that drives a variable current source connected to the transducer. The positive input to the OTA is a DC voltage with the AC signal from the transducer imposed on it. The negative input is a DC reference voltage. Various embodiments of the signal trace configuration on the suspension are described including a single and double layer embodiments.