An X-ray generator comprising: an X-ray tube comprising an anode and a cathode; a high voltage generator operable to provide at least a first kV level to the X-ray tube and a second kV level to the X-ray tube, the second kV level being higher than the first kV level, wherein the high voltage generator is operable to switch between the first kV level and the second kV level during operation; a dynamic damper electrically connected between a voltage rectifier and said cathode, the dynamic damper operable to provide a frequency dependent impedance interposed between the cathode of the X-ray tube and the high voltage generator, wherein an impedance of the dynamic damper increases with an increase in frequency; wherein at a frequency less than 50 kHz the dynamic damper provides an impedance less than 1/3 of a reference impedance needed to protect the high voltage generator; wherein at frequencies above 5 MHz the dynamic damper provides an impedance greater than the reference impedance needed to protect the high voltage generator; and a distributed resonant energy recovery (DRER) circuit comprising: at least one capacitor; and a plurality of switches arranged in series to the at least one capacitor, the switches operable to selectively store energy in the at least one capacitor; wherein when the high voltage generator is operated to provide the first kV level to the X-ray tube, energy is received and stored in the at least one capacitor; and wherein when the high voltage generator is operated to provide the second kV level to the X-ray tube, energy is discharged from the at least one capacitor to achieve the second kV level. an X-ray tube comprising an anode and a cathode; a high voltage generator operable to provide at least a first kV level to the X-ray tube and a second kV level to the X-ray tube, the second kV level being higher than the first kV level, wherein the high voltage generator is operable to switch between the first kV level and the second kV level during operation; a dynamic damper electrically connected between a voltage rectifier and said cathode, the dynamic damper operable to provide a frequency dependent impedance interposed between the cathode of the X-ray tube and the high voltage generator, wherein an impedance of the dynamic damper increases with an increase in frequency; wherein at a frequency less than 50 kHz the dynamic damper provides an impedance less than 1/3 of a reference impedance needed to protect the high voltage generator; wherein at frequencies above 5 MHz the dynamic damper provides an impedance greater than the reference impedance needed to protect the high voltage generator; and a distributed resonant energy recovery (DRER) circuit comprising: at least one capacitor; and a plurality of switches arranged in series to the at least one capacitor, the switches operable to selectively store energy in the at least one capacitor; at least one capacitor; and a plurality of switches arranged in series to the at least one capacitor, the switches operable to selectively store energy in the at least one capacitor; wherein when the high voltage generator is operated to provide the first kV level to the X-ray tube, energy is received and stored in the at least one capacitor; and wherein when the high voltage generator is operated to provide the second kV level to the X-ray tube, energy is discharged from the at least one capacitor to achieve the second kV level.