A method and system for generating a set of candidate symbols. A system includes a Multiple Input Multiple Output (“MIMO”) receiver. The receiver includes a candidate generation look-up table (“LUT”) that provides a list of candidate values for a transmitted symbol selected from a constellation of symbols. The candidate generation LUT stores candidate lists for a portion of the constellation of symbols. The portion of the constellation for which candidate lists are stored is selected according to a symmetry of the constellation. The LUT preferably provides a secondary constellation superimposed on a decision region of a primary constellation. The LUT also preferably includes an inner point of the primary constellation and outer points of the primary constellation. The primary and secondary constellations are preferably compressed by application of quadrant, mirror, and inner-point symmetries.