hooked up to stereos

why is it that when I connect my fuze silver 8gig to my home stereo that I get better radio signal?? is it just that when it gets power from a stereo that it just picks up stations better???

If you mean connect it via a headphone cable, it’s because that cable, like when you connect headphones, acts as the antenna. This is also why you should never try recording FM without the earbuds connected

i connect my silver fuze via earphones connection to red and white rca cables to the rear auxillary to my stereo.

Your RCA cable ground wire becomes the radio antenna. Most likely it is longer and spread out better than when your earphone cable is used. This is giving you better radio reception.