A variable ramp up/down gain in a pre-power stage block of an audio amplifier may be used to reduce audible pops and clicks output by the audio amplifier. A controller may adjust the variable ramp up/down gain during operation of the audio amplifier. The variable ramp up/down gain may be implemented as a pulse width modulation (PWM) modulator/generator with a ramp-up and ramp-down gain under control of the controller. The variable ramp up/down gain smooths transitions of the offset between a pre-power stage block and a feedback loop and thus can reduce audible pops and clicks by reducing the offset that is amplified in the power stage block of the audio amplifier.