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This is a seller’s market only in the sense that clean, working vintage amplifiers remain desirable; at £80, though, this is above the usual SB-M20 territory. Your comparable listings put the median at £57 and the 75th percentile at £69, so £80 is ambitious unless the unit is exceptionally clean, tested, or recently serviced.
The SB-M20 is a likeable early-1980s Toshiba: compact, straightforward, and rated around 40 watts per channel, with a useful phono stage and a reputation for a clear, open sound. It makes sense for a vintage vinyl system, but “unknown” condition is the sticking point at this price. Check both channels, controls, phono performance, speaker outputs, mains voltage, and whether it has been serviced. At £80, insist on a convincing demonstration; otherwise, a more attractive buy would be nearer the £57 median.
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.
