Low-quiescent current headset driver

A method comprising:

• receiving a first signal;
• amplifying, in a first amplifier, the first signal into a first amplified signal;
• amplifying, in a second amplifier, the first signal into a second amplified signal;
• combining the first and second amplified signals into a combined amplified signal;
• controlling operation of the first and second amplifiers by slaving operation of the second amplifier to operation of the first amplifier;
• detecting an activation signal based on the first amplified signal has reached an activation threshold;
• and
• activating, at the activation threshold, amplification of the first signal by the second amplifier, wherein the second amplifier is inactive before the activation signal reaches the activation threshold.

A device comprising:

• a first output stage configured to receive and amplify a first portion of a first signal into a first amplified signal;
• a second output stage configured to receive and amplify a second portion of the first signal into a second amplified signal, the first and second portions being different, wherein each of the first and second portions is one of all and less than all of the first signal;
• the device configured to combine the first and second amplified signals into a combined amplified signal;
• a first feedback coupled to an output of the first output stage;
• a second feedback coupled to an output of the second output stage, the first and second feedbacks having respective feedback gain ratios that are essentially the same;
• an activation control having a replica of the first output stage, the activation control configured to slave operation of the second amplifier to operation of the first amplifier indicated by operation of the replica;
• and
• a first input stage having an output coupled to an input of the first output stage and to an input of the replica.