Arrangement for reproducing a digital signal from a track on a magnetic record carrier using a read head with a MR element

An arrangement for reproducing a digital signal from a track on a magnetic record carrier (20) comprises a magnetic read head (21) having a magneto resistive element (107), and an equalizer filter means (23) for equalizing the output signal of the read head. The equalizer filter means (23) includes an IIR filter means (29) and a FIR filter means (30). The IIR filter means (29) equalizes magnitude and group delay of the signal applied to its input in a low frequency region of the signal frequency range. The FIR filter means equalizes at least the magnitude of the signal applied to its input in a higher frequency region of the signal frequency range. Viewed in the direction of transport of the record carrier, the MR head has a front side and a back side. One of the sides (41) has a magnetic shielding for the MR element (107) which is larger than the magnetic shielding of the other side (40). The MR head (21) is positioned relative to the track so that the front side (40) has the lesser magnetic shielding.