Can I Rid Myself Of iTunes?


Hi All
I recently realized that iTunes had switched my import settings (without my participation) from AIFF to AAC lossy. So it just happens that about $300.00 plus worth of CD's including MOFI and Audio Fidelity reissues, most out of print,  were ripped onto my server as AAC files. And what makes this awful, is that I unloaded most of these cd's at a local store. So much of what I lost is irreplaceable. I'm not just here to cry but I'm wondering if there is a way of ripping and cataloging without iTunes? I currently have a mid 2011 MacMini and I'm using iTunes with the current Audirvana app. I also have Yate but I haven't opened it in years. My MacMini will connect via USB to a newly upgraded Ayre QB9 Twenty DAC. Any suggestions are appreciated (aside from using a PC).
Thanks!
goofyfoot
I'm using XLD (free) on my MacMini for ripping.  I set output to ALAC, but you can pick any format.  I set output to Itunes directory and it creates automatically subdirectories with music. I also set number of attempts to 200 to be sure I will get bit-perfect rip, even on badly scratched CDs.  I use Itunes (now called Music), but I created Smart Playlist for each genre.  With playlists it shows all thumbnails on one page - much nicer than scrolling.

Check what was that Itunes created (get info).  Perhaps it was ALAC and not AAC (both have the same .m4a extension).  If that is the case you can easily batch convert all of them to AIFF using XLD.   It cannot be done for AAC, since it is lossy format. 
kijanki, it's ACC for certain. Those cd's are gone for good. I'll look into XLD. 
lactic, I will look Blue vault 2 but I have a DAC so I'd have to see using it the way you described.
@goofyfoot  When you rip again rip only what you intend to listen to at the moment.  Once XLD places first track in Itunes you can start listening.  Eventually you will get all your CDs that way and it won't be a big chore.
Well Goofyfoot,
I'm sort of in same place your in my huge CD collection is on my Mac Book Pro 2010
El Capitan imported AAC 320klb
I still pretty much have my collection of CDs for i like you sold a lot them off.