An equalizer (34) and a prefilter (1) used in conjunction with a comb filter (2) in a High Definition Television (HDTV) system. The prefilter (1) may be placed before the comb filter (2), or alternatively may be placed after the comb filter. Further, the method may be enhanced by estimating the filter tap when the prefilter (1) is placed after the comb filter (2). The equalizer (34) produces a fifteen level output from the eight level Vestigial Sideband (VSB) input without limiting the amplitude at symbol 12 to a relatively small value, such as -20 dB. Three specific methods of increasing the permissible amplitude at symbol 12 are presented which permit tap 12 amplitudes as high as -6 dB.