An equalizer system includes an equalizer, first and second decoders, and a tap weight controller. The equalizer equalizes a received signal to provide an equalizer output. The first decoder is characterized by a first parallel output, and the first decoder decodes the equalizer output to provide first symbol decisions having a first accuracy. The second decoder is characterized by a second parallel output, the second decoder receives the first parallel output and decodes the equalizer output to provide second symbol decisions having a second accuracy, the first accuracy is greater than the second accuracy, and the second decoder applies the second parallel output to the equalizer. The tap weight controller determines tap weights based on the first symbol decisions and supplies the tap weights to the equalizer.