A method for compensating digital samples of an asymmetric read signal is presented. The method involves reading a digital sample of an asymmetric read signal V(t) (160), generating a compensated sample at least when the digital sample requires compensation (164), and outputting either the digital sample (168) or the compensated sample (166). Also presented is an asymmetry correction block (158) of a read channel (144) of a disc drive (110) that includes an input (200), a level detector (202), a compensator (204), and an output (208). The level detector (202) and the compensator (204) receive the digital sample through the input (200). The level detector (202) determines whether the digital sample requires compensation. The compensator (204) generates a compensated sample at least when the digital sample requires compensation. The output (208) selectively outputs either the digital sample or the compensated sample.