In an embodiment, a receiver comprises: a linear equalizer for receiving an input signal and outputting a partly equalized signal; a VGA (variable-gain amplifier) for receiving the partly equalized signal and outputting an amplitude-adjusted signal in accordance with a gain control signal; a non-uniform ADC (analog-to-digital converter) for receiving the amplitude-adjusted signal and outputting a digitized signal; and a DSP (digital signal processing) circuit for receiving the digitized signal and outputting a bit stream by performing a signal detection and establishing the gain control signal by performing an amplitude comparison. The non-uniform ADC has a lower precision when the amplitude-adjusted signal lies in a region where the signal detection is of a higher confidence, and has a higher precision when the amplitude-adjusted signal lies in a region where the signal detection is of a lower confidence. In an embodiment, the DSP circuit includes a decision feedback equalizer.