Apple iTunes or What Else

I use Itunes with Airport Express on 5GHz with no dropouts (Mac Mini). What is being sent to Airport Express is compressed data in packets (not in the real time). Programs, or anything else, don’t make any difference (since it is just a "bit perfect" data), unless they alter it. Other people can have different results with different programs when they have different (no network) connection, like S/Pdif (where timing plays important role). In such case playback program, speed of computer, amount of memory or playback from memory can make audible difference.
I keep my CDs in ALAC format. It save HD space and it is (I believe) format of data being sent over Wi-Fi.

The only negative side of Itunes is interface. I created "Smart Playlists" for each genre. It resulted in much better view with matrix of thumbnails on the page. Perhaps there is a way to do this without going to "Smart Playlists", but I couldn’t find it.

Thanks for the suggestion re Apple replacing iTunes. That has to be a consideration. Need to know what apple will do with iTunes.

Like many of the comments, I have used iTunes since the beginning and like its sound quality particularly AIFF files and ease of use.I am going to evaluate and study Audirvana Plus, Roon, and Bluenote. Have been downloading a number of high resolution music from HD Tracks and they really sound good in iTunes. Tried Amarra a few years ago. It had too many issues for my system and didn't sound appreciably better than iTunes. 

I use a MacBook Air (latest version) with Audirvana Plus (v 3.5) in this system:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7324

Running FLAC files and Tidal; results are extremely good IMHO. I have no plans to change anything. Well, maybe upgrade the McIntosh C50 to a C52.

I recently upgraded my HT Oppo UDP-205 DAC to run MQA (free firmware upgrade from Oppo) with the MacBook Air; speakers are B&W 802D and Krell TAS 5C amp. Again, results are very impressive running Tidal MQA. Once again, I have no plans to upgrade anything. Well, we shall see!

I find Audirvana Plus very easy to use, especially with Tidal. Overall sound quality is outstanding. Very happy with this setup,

Marcus

That is really good equipment you have and I think it’s similar to what I have. I too was using Itunes and have quite a library of AIFF files on a Western Digital Hard Drive that uses WD MyCloud. Because I have a limited budget, I opted to try the Bluesound Node 2 and BluOS software. I can access all my AIFF files and stream via a wide variety of streaming services like Spotify and Tidal. There is much written about Bluesound...have a look. But for me it fits perfectly and sounds great. If you ever try Roon again, Bluesound can marry up with Roon as well. For those who want to try a better DAC with Bluesound, many out there can be used and some can also play MQA tracks.

Roon will read your iTunes library but not modify it in any way. You can continue to use iTunes to add music to your library.  I’ve grown to appreciate how easy it is to use iTunes to edit the metadata of my AIFF rips done using XLD. 

Roon will stream to that Airport Express too.  There’s a free trial.  

I really enjoyed Audirvana as far as sound quality goes. However, Roon's user experience and interface was super impressive. I had been using Audirvana for quite a while with my last amp. When I got the new amp I experimented with Roon. I really enjoyed it, but it didn't sound as good to me as the built in streaming software of the amp. Ended up cancelling my Roon membership prior to the end of the free trial. I noted in my reason to cancel that I wasn't pleased with the sound quality. I actually received an email from someone at Roon offering to extend my free trial and help walk me through the program to get the best sound. Never took him up on it, but was really impressed with that kind of customer service.