An apparatus for decoding a sequence of pictures from a data stream is configured for decoding a picture of the sequence by deriving a residual transform signal of the picture from the data stream; combining a residual transform signal with a buffered transform signal approximation of a previous picture of the sequence so as to obtain a transform signal representing the picture, the transform signal having a plurality of transform coefficients; and subjecting the transform signal to a spectral-to-spatial transformation. The apparatus is configured for deriving the buffered transform signal approximation from a further transform signal representing the previous picture so that the buffered transform signal approximation has approximations of further transform coefficients of the further transform signal.