diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # Changelog for Hedis
 
+## 0.7.10
+
+* Improved performance (PR #64)
+
 ## 0.7.7
 
 * Close connection handle on error
diff --git a/hedis.cabal b/hedis.cabal
--- a/hedis.cabal
+++ b/hedis.cabal
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name:               hedis
-version:            0.7.9
+version:            0.7.10
 synopsis:
     Client library for the Redis datastore: supports full command set,
     pipelining.
diff --git a/src/Database/Redis/Protocol.hs b/src/Database/Redis/Protocol.hs
--- a/src/Database/Redis/Protocol.hs
+++ b/src/Database/Redis/Protocol.hs
@@ -49,27 +49,35 @@
 -- Reply parsers
 --
 reply :: Parser Reply
-reply = choice [singleLine, integer, bulk, multiBulk, error]
+reply = do
+  c <- anyChar
+  case c of
+    '+' -> singleLine
+    '-' -> error
+    ':' -> integer
+    '$' -> bulk
+    '*' -> multiBulk
+    _ -> fail "Unknown reply type"
 
 singleLine :: Parser Reply
-singleLine = SingleLine <$> (char '+' *> takeTill isEndOfLine <* endOfLine)
+singleLine = SingleLine <$> (takeTill isEndOfLine <* endOfLine)
 
 error :: Parser Reply
-error = Error <$> (char '-' *> takeTill isEndOfLine <* endOfLine)
+error = Error <$> (takeTill isEndOfLine <* endOfLine)
 
 integer :: Parser Reply
-integer = Integer <$> (char ':' *> signed decimal <* endOfLine)
+integer = Integer <$> (signed decimal <* endOfLine)
 
 bulk :: Parser Reply
 bulk = Bulk <$> do
-    len <- char '$' *> signed decimal <* endOfLine
+    len <- signed decimal <* endOfLine
     if len < 0
         then return Nothing
         else Just <$> take len <* endOfLine
 
 multiBulk :: Parser Reply
 multiBulk = MultiBulk <$> do
-    len <- char '*' *> signed decimal <* endOfLine
+    len <- signed decimal <* endOfLine
     if len < 0
         then return Nothing
         else Just <$> count len reply