Where to buy vinyl online in Australia

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If you're into music - I mean really into music - you've probably got a fairly firm opinion regarding vinyl and its reputation (in certain circles) as the ultimate listening medium. Many music nerds continue to swear by vinyl and maintain that it sounds better than digital.

The same nostalgia for analog products can be seen in the realms of photography and cinema, where people like Quentin Tarantino extol the virtues of film while deriding digital production as a kind of cheap shortcut.

The analog vs digital debate goes on and on. When it comes to music, we should defer to the experts, most if not all of whom will assert that digital easily delivers a cleaner, more precise audio recording than vinyl.

This is owing to variables such as distortion, dynamic range and frequency response. But something tells me that that won't cut much ice with the vinyl enthusiasts. And in their defence, saying that vinyl "sounds better" is not the same as saying that vinyl offers superior fidelity to digital in an empirical sense (again, the opposite is actually true).

A preference for vinyl is based on more than dynamic range. I mentioned nostalgia above. That's a major factor, even for young people who grew up with WiFi and SIM cards. Vinyl's 21st century renaissance is a tribute to those bygone days when finding and selecting new music was, perforce, an intensely personal and time-consuming process.

The act of going to record stores, purchasing vinyl, developing a collection, upgrading audio equipment, spinning a physical record, etc. was a major hobby in itself. There was a ritualistic investment of time and emotion that doesn't exist when you have instantaneous access via your smartphone to nearly everything that's ever been recorded.

You don't even need to compare courier quotes anymore. Relative to vinyl, there's something inauthentic-or perhaps soulless is the better adjective-about digital. True, that's an argument based on feeling, not empiricism, but then what is music if not the expression of feeling through sound?

Which is to say, in sum, that digital can never fully replace vinyl. It will always have a place in the hearts of audiophiles, and thus a place in the commercial market. And while the experience of visiting a record store in person can't be replicated online, we inevitably find ourselves drawn in by the convenience of e-commerce. Hence the following list of 10 places where Australians can buy vinyl online-and have it promptly delivered via interstate courier.

Whether you're a seasoned vinyl collector or you've only just acquired your first turntable, you'll benefit from checking these places out.

Vinyl.com.au is, by their own reckoning, the largest online record shop in Australia. The selection is vast. The closer you are to Melbourne, where Vinyl.com.au is based, the faster you'll receive your order.

JB Hi-Fi dates back to 1974. Since then ownership of the store has changed hands a number of times. One thing remains the same: tons of vinyl records on offer at fair prices. JB Hi-Fi also supports a number of charities including The Song Room and Companion Animal Network Australia.

Discrepancy Records is located just outside Melbourne. Their online catalogue contains more than 100,000 long playing records. You can also visit their shop in Mont Albert North where the stock over 8,000 records.

The Vinyl Store specialises in new vinyl in all genres, though they also carry a selection of limited edition records and collectors' items. There is a flat shipping rate of $10 for standard and $20 for express on all new vinyl purchases.

If you're into pop music and soundtracks, The Sound of Vinyl is the shop for you. They stock a wide range of limited edition stuff that you won't find in most record shops.

In spite of the name, Dutch Vinyl is very much an Australian enterprise. They have two locations: one in Melbourne and one in Brisbane. In addition to vinyl, Dutch Vinyl sells sleeves, turntables, books, and a variety of accessories. Orders over $150 qualify for free shipping.

Rare Records, true to its name, specialises in rare records. They're based in Melbourne and have been in business for more than 30 years. In addition to obscure vinyl, Rare Records sells CDs, posters, books, magazines and other knickknacks. They are also proudly involved in the Australian music scene, hosting live performances, organising record fairs, and more.

Vinyl Destination, not to be confused with the film franchise, houses a large and impressive catalogue of vinyl spanning all genres. Shipping within Australia costs $5 per item up to $25.

Vinyl Revival don't sell records, but I'm including them anyway because it's a one-stop shop for all your audio system needs. Here you will find a fine selection of turntables, amplifiers, speakers and accessories. They've also got a blog covering many vinyl FAQs.

Last but not least, Rich Records, which places an emphasis on house, hip hop and electronic music. The overwhelming majority of their stock is second hand vinyl imported from the US and Japan. It's a niche shop for vinyl lovers with specific tastes.