An audio system that reduces or eliminates click and pop noise during power up and power down operations. In particular, the audio system includes an amplifier with an input adapted to receive an input audio signal and an output adapted to produce an amplified output audio signal for an associated speaker. The audio system further includes a noise reduction circuit adapted to smoothly apply and remove a DC voltage to and from the output of the amplifier in a manner that reduces or eliminates click and pop noise from being generated by the associated speaker. The DC voltage at the output of the amplifier may be derived from a DC reference voltage source and/or from the input audio signal.