A pre-processing stage is provided for a receiver of a wireless device. The pre-processing stage includes an amplifier that receives signals of interest and unwanted signals and produces amplified signals of interest and amplified unwanted signals, and a matching network that separates the amplified signals of interest from the amplified unwanted signals in conjunction with additional downstream filters. The preprocessing stage also includes a signal path that includes components for receiving and pre-processing the amplified signals of interest, and a shunt path that includes components for adjusting reflected energy sent back to the amplifier for limiting the output swing of the amplifier in a frequency band corresponding to the amplified unwanted signals.