An amplifier system , having an input terminal and an output terminal, comprising: an amplifier connected to the input terminal for receiving an input signal and having a linear operating region where an output signal produced by the amplifier at the output terminal has a power level increasing proportionally with an increasing input signal power up to a compression region of the amplifier where the output signal power produced by the amplifier is inhibited from increasing above a compression power level with increasing input signal power; and a DC current limiting circuit , coupled between a DC power supply and the amplifier, configured to: supply a current equal to a quiescent current to the amplifier from the DC power supply when the amplifier operates in the linear operating region; enable the amplifier to draw increasing current from the DC power supply above the quiescent current with increasing input signal power until the output signal power of the amplifier system reaches a compression power level which is lower than the compression power level of the amplifier itself; then limit the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply; wherein when the amplifier operates in the linear operating region, the DC current limiting circuit is in a low resistance state; and wherein when the DC current limiting circuit limits the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply, the DC current limiting circuit is in a high resistance state. an amplifier connected to the input terminal for receiving an input signal and having a linear operating region where an output signal produced by the amplifier at the output terminal has a power level increasing proportionally with an increasing input signal power up to a compression region of the amplifier where the output signal power produced by the amplifier is inhibited from increasing above a compression power level with increasing input signal power; and a DC current limiting circuit , coupled between a DC power supply and the amplifier, configured to: supply a current equal to a quiescent current to the amplifier from the DC power supply when the amplifier operates in the linear operating region; enable the amplifier to draw increasing current from the DC power supply above the quiescent current with increasing input signal power until the output signal power of the amplifier system reaches a compression power level which is lower than the compression power level of the amplifier itself; then limit the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply; wherein when the amplifier operates in the linear operating region, the DC current limiting circuit is in a low resistance state; and wherein when the DC current limiting circuit limits the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply, the DC current limiting circuit is in a high resistance state. supply a current equal to a quiescent current to the amplifier from the DC power supply when the amplifier operates in the linear operating region; enable the amplifier to draw increasing current from the DC power supply above the quiescent current with increasing input signal power until the output signal power of the amplifier system reaches a compression power level which is lower than the compression power level of the amplifier itself; then limit the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply; wherein when the amplifier operates in the linear operating region, the DC current limiting circuit is in a low resistance state; and wherein when the DC current limiting circuit limits the current drawn by the amplifier from the DC power supply, the DC current limiting circuit is in a high resistance state. <EOS>