One embodiment relates to a method of adapting a receiver for equalization of an input data signal. A variable gain amplifier (VGA) loop adapts a VGA circuit using an initial threshold voltage so as to adjust a VGA gain setting to regulate a data amplitude feeding into a decision feedback equalization (DFE) circuit. In addition, the DFE adaptation loop may adapt the DFE circuit using the initial threshold voltage. When the adaptation of the VGA is done, then the VGA gain setting is frozen and adaptation of the threshold voltage may be performed by a threshold adaptation loop. Another embodiment relates to a system which includes a DFE adaptation circuit module, a CTLE adaptation circuit module, and a threshold adaptation circuit module that adapts a threshold voltage that is fed to the DFE adaptation circuit and the CTLE adaptation circuit. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.