In a SAW-less receiver involving a passive mixer, novel degenerative impedance elements having substantial impedances are disposed in incoming signal paths between the differential signal output leads of a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and the differential signal input leads of the passive mixer. The passive mixer outputs signals to a transimpedance amplifier and baseband filter (TIA). Providing the novel degenerative impedance elements decreases noise in the overall receiver as output from the TIA, with only minimal degradation of other receiver performance characteristics. In some examples, the passive mixer receives local oscillator signals having duty cycles of substantially less than fifty percent. In some examples, the degenerative impedance elements can have one of several impedances.