The performance of symbol-spaced linear and decision feedback (DF) equalisers for a magnetic recording channel with low-pass and matched filter front-ends is investigated. The optimum sampling phases for these two cases is derived analytically, and the timing sensitivity of the equaliser performance is characterised as a function of the recording density. The robustness of receiver performance with respect to target responses belonging to the class of partialresponse channels, as well as the front-end filter shapes, is obtained.