Class D amplifiers are used for their high efficiency, but they have some
undesirable characteristics that limit their useable bandwidth, one of
these being the residual switching frequency ripple. Embodiments of the
present invention comprise methods and apparatuses for reducing the
switching frequency ripple using a technique known herein as ripple
steering. The zero ripple class D amplifier is used in a hybrid system
comprising a linear amplifier. The hybrid Class D amplifier is modified
for extended bandwidth and lowered distortion by the addition of a linear
current source feeding output capacitor. The low frequency bandwidth
limit on the linear current source is matched to the high frequency
bandwidth limit on the Class D current source, resulting in a composite
linear/switching current source with bandwidth extended to the high
frequency bandwidth limit of the linear current source.