PURPOSE: To obtain a transversal type equalizer which is set easily and has a short set time by storing a storage circuit with optimum tap coefficients suitable to equalization characteristics and reading tap coefficients out of the storage circuit when an equalization characteristic is supplied.

CONSTITUTION: The storage circuit 102 is stored with optimum tap coefficients corresponding to equalization characteristics. When an indication of a necessary equalization characteristic is supplied to one of terminals 104∼107 for specifying a parabolic group delay characteristic, linear group delay characteristic, linear amplitude characteristic, and parabolic amplitude characteristic, a control circuit 101 reads the tap coefficient suitable to the supplied equalization characteristic out of the circuit 102 and supplies it to the transversal equalizer 103. Consequently, the equalizer 103 controls a variable attenuating element by the supplied tap coefficient to obtain the desired equalization characteristic.