Words & photos: Christian Thompson

There’s a cartoon about vinyl record collectors that appeared in the New Yorker a number of years back... 

A man proudly shows off a vintage hi-fi system and speaker array sitting atop a sideboard full of vinyl records. Looking at the sprawling setup that takes up an entire wall, he proudly exclaims to

another man: “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and the inconvenience.”  

Many audiophiles will nod in agreement with this meme. It’s not criticism. It’s affirmation. But are all vinyl lovers and hi-fi enthusiasts dropping $10k on point-to-point hand-wired amplifiers and loudspeakers that weigh more than a small car? 

The answer is a resounding, resonating, reverberating no. 

In fact, vinyl is even more accessible – even more egalitarian now than during in its heyday. New and second-hand turntables can be found at just about any price point, and the pre-loved vinyl market is flourishing.

Around Christmas, it’s almost impossible to avoid someone sharing their Spotify Wrapped – their list of most played songs and artists for the year. Spotify makes it super easy to share, because it’s ultimately a marketing campaign to further promote the app. Your streaming data is harvested and fed back to you in a way that lets you share it with the click of a button. Congratulations, you’re now a Spotify marketing affiliate!

Music streaming services like Spotify have many benefits. You could say they’re the antithesis of the meme described above. Streaming is inexpensive and extremely convenient. All the hard work is done for you and thanks to powerful algorithmic voodoo, your music playlists are curated based on your tastes and preferences and all you have to do is sit back and listen. Sounds great right? 

But there is another way. Another method of discovering music that is growing exponentially in popularity… and once you start, it’s hard to stop.

The Beatbox

Hunters and Collectors

Last year, vinyl record sales outsold CDs for the first time since 1987. This is the same year Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles and Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody topped the charts. 

Why, in this day and age, when our mobile devices enable us to access just about every song ever made with a click and a swipe, would vinyl be more popular than it has been in the last 25 years?

For many, the joy of hunting for second-hand vinyl records is a unique and enriching experience that goes beyond mere music acquisition. It's a nostalgic journey through time, a tactile exploration of musical history, and a celebration of the tangible in a digital age. 

Sifting through sometimes dusty crates and weathered shelves in record stores, second-hand shops and antique bazaars, becomes a hobby in and of itself. Each discovery unveils more than just a piece of vinyl – it's a relic carrying the essence of an era. 

Hunting for second-hand vinyl isn’t just about accumulating music; it's a treasure hunt, a voyage of discovery, and a nod to the enduring allure of analogue in a world dominated by digital.

Whether you’re a seasoned crate diver or just vinyl curious… across the Fleurieu there are some great places to seek out vinyl gems, so get out there and get hunting!

Victor Beats

The Beatbox - Shop 10/19 Beach Rd, Christies Beach

New and second-hand vinyl. Hi-fi sales and repairs.

Noddy’s Curios - 11 Gawler St Port Noarlunga

Going strong since 1996. Dedicated vinyl space with plenty of crates to dig through arranged by genre and decade.

Victor Beats - Shop 1, 8-16 Ocean St, Victor Harbor,

New and pre-loved vinyl, CD's, DVD's, Guitars, Ukes, T-shirts, Posters, Gifts and more.

The Strand Books and Records - 22 The Strand, Port Elliot

Plenty of retro vinyl to sift through.

The Old Registry - 45 The Strand, Port Elliot

Great selection of second-hand vinyl. Stock refreshed regularly.

Antique Bazaar of Strathalbyn - 25 High St, Strathalbyn

Fantastic selection of rare and collectible second-hand vinyl.

Got a tip? A favourite place we might have missed? Drop us a line.