pc computer used under $500.00 for music only

The PC is easy with that budget. I got an Acer Aspire, put in an SSD 250gb drive and downgraded to windows 7. Final move was to buy Jriver. There went $500.

However, I spent almost as much on a DAC with USB input. Your system will only be as good as the signal coming out of the PC. If you have a desktop, you could install a good soundcard. However, I really don't think there is a soundcard I would buy over my Schiit Bifrost.

The other option is to get an SPIDF adaptor (Music Fidelity V Link) to convert USB to digital and then go into your digital input in your system (if you have one)

Asus EEE Box with the Atom processor. About the size of a router and no fan. Strip down the software to minimum and install Fidelizer.

I am using an Asus 14 inch laptop with an Intel i3 processor, 4gb ram and a 1tb hard drive. I am using a Western Digital 2TB usb3 hard drive for all my music files. The laptop supports usb3 and is Windows 7. I use J River Media Center 19. Total outlay was around $500 new.

I turned off all the services that I didn't need and have very minimal software on it. It runs like a dream and I can access over 500 cd's at present in flac. I also use the app j remote to use my iPad and iPhone as a remote control.

Quicksilver 90 watt silver monos
Quicksilver LS preamp
Fritz speakers prototype... 2 way monitor with ScanSpeak 5" Illuminator mid/bass & ScanSpeak 9700 tweeter 13H x 71/2W x 12D... Skylan stands in 12x15 room
Kimber KCAG, interconnect
WyWires Blue speaker cable
Musical Fidelity M1 A dac
Theta Pearl transport

The one that seems the most promising and you can squeeze it in new.

An Intel NUC with Celeron processor. At about 6W, it outperforms the Atom based designs but still runs extremely cool.

Add in 4GB of DDR3 1.35V memory and a 60GB of SSD.

Download Daphile - an optimised OS for music playback.

That's it.

You might even be able to throw in the HDPlex Linear PSU to power this for under 500. New