Image credit @zhugunic https://drop.com/talk/67372/gl-2-k Do I need an amp? What are these acronyms like DAC, DSP, or DSD? What even are all the components that make up an audio chain? Let’s take a beginner’s look at the core, essential building blocks of a digital audio chain, and lay it plain what each piece does. We can cover the major pieces separately, but I’ll still include a few tips to optimize playback here. Please hit the little bookmark button and feel free to check and share this guide whenever you need a reference! For people who need a visual and audible explanation, or are worried it would take too long to get a working knowledge of the audio chain, here is my YouTube video on this subject that is just 7 minutes long!  I like writing though, so let’s get started with an overview, then break it down into what each piece does and how an upgrade would benefit the final sound quality. Signal Path Image credit @SpeleoFool https://drop...

Spring has truly sprung here on Drop. We’re more than excited for the season—and for the summer ahead. We have some amazing stuff coming up in the next few months. New headphones, new keyboards, new keycaps, BMR1 speakers arriving… 😉 To celebrate Spring, we wanted to help you clean up—in more ways than one—with our Spring Cleaning 2023 Event. ▪️ Visit our Spring Cleaning 2023 page now! The campaign runs for the rest of the month, ending 11:59 p.m PT 3/31/2023. ▪️ Help us clean a desk, and you’ll get a coupon. Coupons last for one day only and expire at 11:59 p.m. PT. ▪️ Each day you can come back and clean a new desk to reveal a new coupon. ▪️ The coupons vary (there are plenty of them) but here are few examples of what to expect: ▪️ $30 off orders over $200 ▪️ 15% off any Audiophile product ▪️ 30% off select keycaps  ▪️ Free headphones ▪️ Free switches ▪️ And more! ▪️ While you’re doing some Spring Cleaning with us, join our giveaway at the bottom of the page for a chance to win a...

Designer of the iconic Solarized theme and storied multi-disciplinarian, Ethan Schoonover, has graciously agreed to answer a few questions for the Drop community. In fact, his answers were so thorough that we’ve decided to split them in two—this first post primarily about Ethan himself, and the second focusing on his development of the Solarized theme and the current state of his mech keys interest (spoiler: he has put together some impeccable workstations).  With that being said, let’s get started!  Tell us a little bit about yourself and your history - relevant to mech keys or not. We want to get to know the person behind the iconic Solarized design. Where are you from, what is your “day career”, what are your other hobbies and interests? What is something we wouldn’t know about you from reading your About section?  I have a mixed technology and design background. Typical 80s kid story where I taught myself how to code, mixed in with having two professional artists for...

While many people joined the mechanical keyboard hobby over the course of the past couple of years, I’ve been lucky enough to have been around to see all of the changes that have followed this surge in popularity. One of the undeniably best changes that has come about as a result of the COVID-based surge in mechanical keyboards is the sheer quality and number of prebuilt options that are available on the market today. Whereas back when I first started the hobby, you’d pick up something like an Obins Anne Pro, DAS Keyboard, or maybe even a Leopold, there are now at least a dozen different brands I can think of off of the top of my head besides these three which are still around as well. However, it’s at least evident to me that not all of these mechanical keyboards are created equally. Knowing full well that the hobby can be daunting to those just now joining, I suspect that the nuances between some of these brands may not be the most evident. So, let’s go through a quick rundown of...