An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a low voltage ultrasound signal path including front- end circuitry which drives probe signal conductors with low voltage transmitters and has low voltage receivers or preamplifiers with inputs coupled to the signal conductors. The transmit high voltage is produced in the system main frame and coupled by the probe cable to high voltage transmitters in the probe, which have low voltage inputs coupled to the signal conductors and outputs coupled to the elements of the transducer array. The transmit /receive switches are located in the probe and coupled in parallel with the high voltage transmitters.
