A differential
variable gain amplifier (1) comprises eight identical variable
gain stages (8a to 8d) which are arranged in two groups, namely, a high
gain group (19) and a
low gain group (20). The first
gain stage (8a) is coupled directly to a pair of positive and negative main input terminals (4,5) for receiving a differential input
signal to be amplified. A pair of
voltage divider impedance chains (14) comprising identical capacitors (C1a to C1g) define taps (17b to 17h) through which the input
signal is applied to the corresponding gain stages (8b to 8h) in progressive steps of attenuation. Each
gain stage (8) comprises a pair of identical
variable gain amplifier elements (11) which amplify the respective positive and negative ends of the differential input
signal. Only one of the gain stages (8a to 8h) is selected at any one time by a
control circuit 10. The outputs from the gain stages (8) of the high gain group (19) are applied to positive and negative high gain output terminals (28,29). The output of the gain stages (8) of the
low gain group (20) are applied on positive and negative
low gain output terminals (33,34). A pair of selectively activatable shunt-shunt
feedback circuits (42a,42b) each comprising a variable gain feedback
amplifier (43a,43b) provide variable
shunt impedance at the main input terminals (4,5) for maintaining the
input impedance of the
variable gain amplifier (1) within a predetermined
input impedance range as the gain of the variable gain
amplifier (1) is varied, and when the variable gain
amplifier (1) is operating at the high end of its gain range. A passive
shunt impedance circuit (40) comprising a plurality of resistive
shunt impedance elements are independently selectively shuntable across the main input terminals (4,5) for maintaining the
input impedance of the variable gain amplifier (1) within the predetermined input impedance range when the variable gain amplifier (1) is operating at the low gain end of its gain range.