In an equalizing amplifier that equalizes an electric signal obtained from a light signal received via an optical transmission path, an AGC circuit generates first and second signals from the electric signal by referring to a threshold voltage. The first and second signals are complementary signals. An offset compensation circuit generates a first difference signal based on a difference between the first and second signals, compares the first difference signal with a first reference signal, and outputs, as the threshold voltage, a resultant error signal to the AGC circuit. The threshold voltage is varied so that it is located in the center of an amplitude of the electric signal whereby an offset of the AGC circuit can be compensated for.