a sense amplifier having an amplifier stage with decreased gain is described . the sense amplifier includes a first input / output node and a second complementary i / o node . the sense amplifier includes two amplifier stages , each for amplifying a signal on one of the i / o nodes . the first amplifier stage , having a first conductivity - type , amplifies one of the i / o node towards a first voltage . the second amplifier stage , having a second conductivity - type , amplifies the other i / o node towards a second voltage . the sense amplifier also includes a resistance circuit coupled to the second amplifier stage to reduce the gain of the second amplifier stage thereby reducing the rate of amplification of the signal on the corresponding i / o node .