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We investigate the problem of optimally reversing the action of an arbitrary quantum channel C which acts independently on each component of an ensemble of n identically prepared d -dimensional quantum systems. In the limit of large ensembles, we construct the optimal reversing channel R ^☆ _n which has to be applied at the output ensemble state, to retrieve a smaller ensemble of m systems prepared in the input state, with the highest possible rate m / n . The solution is found by mapping the problem into the optimal reversal of Gaussian channels on multimode quantum-classical continuous variable systems, which is solved here as well. Our general results can be readily applied to improve the implementation of robust long-distance quantum communication. As an example, we investigate the optimal reversal rate of phase flip channels acting on a multi-qubit register.