A read/write head has a set of components that at least include: at least one clearance actuator; at least one read transducer configured to read from a magnetic recording medium; and at least one write transducer configured to write to the magnetic recording medium. A switch network is coupled to the set of components and configured to, in response to a control signal, couple a selected sub-combination of the components to a common set of signal lines. The coupling of the selected sub-combination facilitates operation in a selected mode of the read/write head.