A switching power stage for producing a load voltage at a load output of the switching power stage, wherein the load output comprises a first load terminal having a first load voltage and a second load terminal having a second load voltage such that the load voltage comprises a difference between the first and the second load voltages, that may include: a power converter comprising a power inductor and a plurality of switches, wherein the power converter is configured to drive a power converter output terminal; a linear amplifier configured to drive a linear amplifier output terminal; and a controller for controlling the plurality of switches and the linear amplifier in order to generate the load voltage as a function of an input signal to the controller such that energy delivered to the load output is supplied predominantly by the power converter.