RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Condition is unknown, so £300 is on the firm side for a SB-445 unless it’s exceptionally clean, fully working, and ideally serviced. Recent used asking prices I can find put one at about £243 on HifiShark, with another eBay ask at £399.99, so £300 sits above the middle of the market and only makes sense if this one is in notably better shape than average.
That said, these Toshiba silver-faced integrateds are appealing for their solid late-’70s build, sensible power output, and attractive styling; the SB-445 is rated around 45 W x2 into 4 ohms and 40 W x2 into 8 ohms, which is plenty for efficient speakers and a vintage-all-in-one system. If it’s original, quiet, and all controls are clean, it’s a worthwhile buy—but at this price I’d want confirmation of no channel issues, scratchy pots, or missing knobs before jumping in.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Toshiba traces its roots to 1875 in Japan, emerging from the innovative legacy of Hisashige Tanaka, the "Thomas Edison of Asia," whose Tanaka Engineering Works laid early groundwork in precision mechanics. The modern company formed in 1939 through the merger of Shibaura Seisakusho—Japan's pioneer in telegraph equipment—and Tokyo Denki, the nation's first incandescent lamp maker. Renamed Toshiba Corporation in 1978, it built a storied heritage in consumer electronics, blending industrial prowess with entertainment tech during Japan's postwar boom.
In hi-fi audio, Toshiba excelled in a broad array of categories, from full-size separates like amplifiers and tuners to turntables such as the high-end SR-510, quadrophonic systems, and top-tier record players. Pioneering innovations included the world's first digital synthesizer tuner (ST-910, 1978), the ADRES noise reduction system, and transistor televisions. Under the premium Aurex sub-brand launched in the late 1970s, it offered elite components detached from mainstream associations, later evolving into compact micro systems and, remarkably, a 2018 revival with high-res cassette players.
Toshiba holds a revered vintage-collector status among hi-fi enthusiasts, embodying the golden age of Japanese audio with technical masterpieces that rivaled Sony and Pioneer. No longer a major player in consumer hi-fi—having shifted to energy and infrastructure by the 2020s—its gear remains prized for build quality, innovation, and that elusive 1970s-80s analog warmth, appealing to savvy buyers hunting rare, high-fidelity treasures.
See all Toshiba listings on RADAR.
