Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that effectively minimizes the computational load and reduces the overall power consumption in a receiver by adjusting the number of taps used in a pre-filter and an equalizer. More specifically, the apparatus includes a memory for storing a signal, and a channel estimator for estimating a quality parameter and a number of channel filter taps using the stored signal. The apparatus further includes a controller for evaluating the estimated quality parameter and the estimated number of channel filter taps to determine a number of pre-filter taps, if any, to be used in the pre-filter. In addition, the controller evaluates the estimated quality parameter and the estimated number of channel filter taps to determine a number of equalizer taps to be used in the equalizer where the number of equalizer taps is less than or equal to the estimated number of channel filter taps.