This is not the SANITY of old which was a massive store near Event cinemas, filled with cds and…read moredvds and listening booths galore (I always liked the try before you buy factor). The problem is since the digital revolution you can sample any music via multiple online avenues and then you can simply download it straight to your phone or ipod. And as I've mentioned in relation to books in other reviews I don't believe the traditional retail sector can compete with the cheapness of online stores, even at sale prices.The necessity for these shops is dying and this SANITY is no different. The range is adequate, but not particularly large or special and even after factoring postage in, it still costs more than my fave music websites. If you're feeling nostalgic for the hours spent feeling up cds and ogling their cover art then maybe give it a whirl. In a nutshell - only for the non techno freaks!

Whatever happened to music stores? Shut up grandma - you know very well that Steve Jobs and Sean…read moreParker happened. Big Star is one of the last and much loved - I think the Magill Rd store is even the last Big Star in SA and as such is entrusted with a legacy. Big Star began in this very store in the 1980s; a second hand outlet focusing on sixties and seventies music. The chain consequently expanded to become six stores strong spread across Adelaide. I will always remember the huge collection of vinyl downstairs in their rundle st location, and seeing great bands, like the Avalanches play instore. Now with the changing times they have made their way full circle and are back to just the original second hand outlet. If, as a casual music consumer you fancy a little nostalgia and miss the days when you would spend all your pocket money on EPs / LPs / casette tapes / Cds. Flicking through the catalogue this store is a great trip down memory lane. For the more serious collector or music buff this is a must see destination. They're always looking for a select list of Vinyl, and this is the place to buy and sell. They have some selected merchandise, band t-shirts, etc too.

Big Star Records on Magill Road is the last remaining of the Big Star record shops that existed in…read moreAdelaide not too many years ago. Whilst the others are sorely missed, I'm glad that this little treasure is still in operation. Big Star stocks a lot of new releases, all sealed in plastic wrap and ready for your unwrapping. But that's not why I come here - it's the secondhand rarities that I'm interested in. There's nothing better than going on the hunt for a rare record, and then finding it in a shelf amongst a number of discarded copies of Frampton Comes Alive. I've spent literally hours in here flipping through secondhand records, and the stuff you can find is pretty incredible - they've got collections of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, etc. Basically, all the good stuff. And of course, Big Star is one of the few record shops in which you can actually preview handed-down records before you purchase. This means that each visit to the shop is welcomed with an array of music, and going through record boxes to the warm crackling of vinyl is really something to relish.

I would say that I'm surprised to find shops like this still around, but apparently some people do…read moreprefer listening to music the old fashioned way. I'm not one of those, but I still like popping into stores like this every so often to check them out, and maybe grab a record that brings back memories. Well, this was one of those times, but the really cool thing was the chat I ended up having with the owner of the store. Mind you, this place has a pretty awesome selection of music, but then again I tend to expect that. If you like music the old fashioned way, then definitely check it out.

It seems that records in Adelaide are getting more popular to purchase and collect in the last…read morecouple of years. My thoughts are that records (if you treat them right) last longer than CDs. Then the attraction to collect music with some amazing artwork and limited addition books that come with them. Or maybe it is just nostalgia? Records do have a specific sound that you can't replicate well on CD. My partner and I used to buy heaps of CDs. But stopped after a while as they just kept scratching. I have thrown so many away. Do you remember when you where younger ordering and waiting your favourite cassettes and CDs? There was a lot of excitement and anticipation of getting it home and thrashing it on your player. Or maybe you grew up in the vinyl era and you always knew the value of owning a piece of physical musical artwork. Recently my partner and I decided to purchase a record player from a thrift store. Consequently this has developed a lust for vinyl. We have been searching high and dry for good record stores. We came across Rocktherapy simply when driving past. The big record on top of the store is a good flagpole. The store is small, but has some quality and well priced records and CDs stocked. There are a couple of rare and collectables available depending on your taste. I was very happy to find a Grandmaster Funk LP for $10. Got that little gem home for many laughs and dancing around the living room. The gentleman that owns and runs the store is very friendly and helpful. He is happy to have a chat about music and what his store has too offer. I think that stores like this is something that I really missed from when I was growing up. Now with access the Mp3s kids are missing out on that sense of excitement in finding something cool in a record store and owning it's physical form! For my fellow vinylheads, worth a trip to browse!

Despite the fact his opening hours are about as consistent as politician's election promises and…read morethat you are eagled eyed if you walk in and are either female or freshly shaven, the collection of records and signed album covers at Porthole Records is one of the best in Adelaide. You will have to get your library geek on though, records (although neatly lined up in shelves) are all over the place here. Either that or I'm not up on my music genres - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is "new wave"? I was tempted to just buy a box of 50c or $1 records by the door and see what happened at home, but I didn't have my gumption boots on today. The variety of genres is impressive and I'm sure you'd end up with some pretty top quality albums here for $20. And for those really dedicated collectors, yes the $150 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Aboittoir Blues record is here for you too. CDs and cassette tapes, signed band posters and album covers are all on display here, but you too will need your gumption boots on to ask the owner re: price. Good luck!

The world of music has gone digital and iTunes has taken off in a big way. Music is available at…read morethe click of a button and instantly available on your computer with no additional hardware required. There is however a collection of people who like to have something tangible, something to hold on to. I'm one of those people. I like to SEE my music collection sitting on the shelf. I like to have visible CDs, tapes, vinyl and collectables. Porthole Records is a dying breed of music store that offers people like me the chance to expand their collection. Sadly it's only open a few days a week, but it's worth a trip down to Port Adelaide to check it out. It's full of LPs and that's what they primarily deal in. There's also a section for cassettes and CDs, but we're mainly talking old school vinyl here. Make sure you look everywhere, including all over the walls. I found a rare autographed copy of the Split Enz biography "Stranger Than Fiction" hanging on the wall and I had to have it. I rarely walk away from the store without having bought something. It may take a bit of digging through the copious amounts of stock, but it really is worth the trip if you find that one treasure you've been searching for years for. If you're a fan of any type of music you owe it to yourself to visit this store. It really is one of the last great music stores in South Australia.

I really really like this place! I find myself coming back quite often that I have to mention that…read moreI found the new 'Beats by Dre.Dre' headphones racked up on the far wall. I was so attracted to the black and red shiny design, I quickly put it on my head and turned up the classic Dr. Dre song that was blasting, because even amidst the chaotic heavy distorted bass that gave me a headache soon after, I was in absolute dancing rapture wearing these new American headphones, and I forgot about all my troubles in the real world. Pretty sure there were several customers looking at me nodding my head incessantly. One guy laughed at how much I was rapping with my hands, and even joined me and tried the headphones himself! LOL. (They WERE playing 'California Love' in the headphones. Coincidence? What a perfect match of a song for these headphones!) So sing with me and turn up the Dr.Dre Bass: "California looooooooove! [gangsta intro melody] California...knows how to party California...knows how to party In the citaaay of L.A. In the citaaay of good ol' Watts In the citaaay, the city of Compton We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin! [Verse One: Dr. Dre] Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat the state where ya never find a dance floor empty And pimps be on a mission for them greens lean mean money-makin-machines servin fiends I been in the game for ten years makin rap tunes.... ......." I spent half an hour just repeating that song, because the sound quality in these new headphones were the highest, sharpest and most clear ever. It kicks the apple Ipod headphones down the gutter, the sound is that good! Pity about the $500 price tag though :( If you don't like these headphones, well have a walk around and you will see there is sooo much else you can get here. New laptops, audio equipment, music CDs, DVDs, big screen TVs - yep, they got it all! Just be prepared for a long waiting line to get serviced. But these guys are quick at the counter, so you won't have to wait too long. Unfortunately I don't have several thousands of dollars to spare, so I quickly walked out wishing I could afford the Dr. Dre gangsta experience.

I have been wanting to buy the Logitech MX Master Mouse for some time, about two years. I had only…read morejust noticed a big price drop at Officeworks from RRP of about $100 to $45 each. I walked into JB Hifi - where it was stocked for $89 - bringing a print out of the Officeworks page that gave the price. I found the mouse and took 3 to the counter, one for myself, two as gifts. They did however only have the mouse in Cream, as opposed to the Charcoal colour I would have preferred, but nonetheless, it was the same model. At first I was led to expect that the price match would be honoured at the cashier, but after a bit of confusion it was disallowed, as the Officeworks page displayed only the Charcoal coloured mouse. They offered a conciliatory price of $65 each, but as a 17 year old student I simply can't afford them at that price. Disallowing the price match of an item on the grounds of colour is very disappointing, and I hope this situation may be rectified. Returning home, I learn Officeworks has now sold out. It is a good store with kind employees but is unfortunately held back by poor policy and lacklustre management. I can't say I will be as keen to visit JB Hifi in the future after this experience.

I think it's just second nature for me to call in to this JB Hi-Fi when I'm at Marion now. They…read morehave ordered countless cds and vinyl, yes that's right they do order vinyl records (although none of it is usually kept in store). For new release cds and vinyl, you really can't beat their prices and this is normally my first stop for anything new. The store is so well set out that I commonly find what I'm looking for without having to ask, even then the service is fantastic and the staff are some of the most helpful I've come across in any JB Hi-Fi store. One guy even managed to track down a re-issue of Neil Young's 'Harvest' for me on vinyl at a drastically lower price than what I was going to pay for it online. Needless to say I was impressed and some form of order was restored to me in that retail businesses still do offer better services than online retailers in some cases! It'd almost be considered criminal for me not to visit this JB Hi-Fi when I'm at Marion. The best JB in South Australia in my opinion. Visiting often is a necessity!

This JB Hi-Fi is my fave electronics/technology/entertainment store. For one thing all the staff…read morelook like they've stepped out of a punk/emo film clip. I'm all for customer service that includes tatts and face piercings thanks very much. Also, the staff actually have a clue what their section is on about and have even been known to do excellent, almost wholesale prices to grab your sale. This is especially so when purchasing big-ticket items like my Dj decks. They also have an excellent range of cds, dvds and blue-ray and good prices and sales (for the retail sector). Don't be intimidated by the burly security guard and the alarm gates at the storefront, but maybe don't try to steal anything either. In a nutshell - entertainment city!

Good selection of movies at reasonable prices, still in my opinion movie rentals are over priced…read more They also have an offer on at present to match all competitor coupons.

I'm one of those few people who still regularly go out and hire DVDs. I buy movies all the time,…read moreand yet I still complain I have nothing to watch so I head down to Video Ezy and hire more often than I probably need to. Video Ezy has had quite the makeover over the past fews, especially this store after it relocated a few months ago. I definitely like the new setup better, it feels like a video store. The new releases are always top of the notch and tend to have plenty in stock when you want them. I usually hire weekly's instead of overnights, and the selection is pretty stellar. There's plenty of black and white classics, foreign, action, romance, comedy and cult classics. The prices are very reasonable too, and on Tuesdays it's only $2 per movie! The West Lakes store also has a lovely choice of movie snacks (mmm chocolate and popcorn) and plenty of ex-rentals and new movies to buy. Sometimes the brand new movies are too expensive, but if you're lucky you can get a great bargain.

Great staff, slightly pricey for a nightly.read more