A system with a nonlinear element processes a replay signal with a scaling factor into a signal compensated for asymmetry. The replay signal may include data from an optical disk. The scaling factor may be estimated based on the compensated signal and a scaling factor gain. The replay signal and the compensated signal may be converted into digital signals and processed digitally. In one embodiment, the compensated signal may be calculated as approximately the scaling factor multiplied by a square of an amplitude of the replay signal added to the amplitude of the replay signal. In another embodiment, the compensated signal may be calculated as approximately the scaling factor multiplied by an absolute value of an amplitude of the replay signal added to the amplitude of the replay signal. A related method is also disclosed. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.