An apparatus includes a continuous-time linear equalizer circuit, a buffer and at least one slicer. The continuous-time linear equalizer circuit may be configured to generate a first intermediate signal by equalizing an input signal relative to a reference voltage. The input signal may be single-ended. The first intermediate signal may be differential. The buffer may be configured to generate a second intermediate signal by delaying the first intermediate signal. The second intermediate signal may be differential. The slicer may be configured to generate an output signal by slicing the second intermediate signal. The output signal may be single-ended.