An apparatus for receiving magnetic resonance (MR) signals emitted by an imaging subject includes a receiver coil configured to detect the MR signals and a frequency translating preamplifier coupled to the receiver coil. The frequency translating preamplifier is configured to amplify the MR signals and to convert a frequency of the MR signals to an intermediate frequency. The frequency translating preamplifier may include an amplifier having a predefined gain, a frequency filter configured to filter at least one predetermined frequency and a mixer configured to convert the frequency of the MR signals to the intermediate frequency.