1. A single stage sensing apparatus for use in a content addressable memory (CAM) by comparing a target TAG field from a CAM address word with a TAG entry stored in a CAM directory table, the single stage sensing apparatus comprising: (a) a TAG storage and comparator unit comprising a multiplicity of CAM cells, each CAM cell including, (i) a one-bit storage device for storing a bit of a TAG entry, and (ii) a comparator, coupled to the one-bit storage device and to a corresponding bit of the target TAG field, for producing a binary output signal in a first state indicating a hit if both bit states are the same, otherwise producing an output signal in a second state indicating a miss; (b) a multi-input OR-gate means with an input for accepting each CAM cell output signal and with an output for producing an output signal that represents a logical OR-ing of all CAM cell outputs so that if all CAM cell output signals indicate a hit, a first state signal is produced at the output and, if any CAM cell output signal indicates a miss, a second state signal is produced at the output; and (c) a small signal sense amplifier for anticipating a state change in the multi-input OR-gate means output signal by detecting an onset of a state change from the first state to the second state, the small signal sense amplifier including, (i) a differential amplifier with a first input coupled to the output signals of the combining logic network and a second input for coupling to a reference signal with a level corresponding to the combining logic network output signal first state, the differential amplifier for producing an output signal representative of an amplified difference between both input signals, and (ii) a thresholding network coupled to the differential amplifier output signal for producing a binary output signal in a first state if both differential amplifier input signals are essentially the same, otherwise outputting the binary signal in a second state if the differential amplifier first input begins to deviate from the reference signal level.