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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!
128x128goofyfoot
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,370 posts
 
bjesien, I just received my QB9 Twenty on Wednesday so it still has some burn in time. So far however it sounds more open, more natural. The ability for it to dig in deeper and reveal detail is considerable. The balance and separation have noticeably improved. String ensembles aren’t getting tangled and the lower registers have a greater presence.I’m listening through an ASR Emitter II Exclusive amp and Quad 2905 ESL speakers. 
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,370 posts
 
bjesein, I’m listening to Debussy now. I can say the dynamic range is greater and the nuance, more refined.
jfhess
8 posts
 
yes, it's possible.  I got sick of iTunes a few years back.  I ripped all my CDs with iTunes using aiff file format and got Roon with Tidal.  Then I double checked all music (mostly mp3s) to check for rips versus down loads and bought some music to increase quality.  Then I bought Super Duper for ripping CDs and Metadatics for changing metadata (to keep all classical stuff organized).  Finally, after everything was somewhat finalized, I made an AAC copy of the high quality library and imported that into Itunes and my phone for bluetooth and the car.  I have yet to do an update of the low quality library, but I'm hoping that new material can be added and updated, and I don't have to have my MAcbook AIr and Mac Mini cranking away for hours.  I have all my cds in zip lock bags in the garage, should I need them (and to be legal).  I have a back up drive at a friends house and I have his back up at my house.  Yes, it's work, and it drives you crazy tracking down individual tracks you might have purchased years ago as mp3s, but it can be done.

good luck,
bjesien
1,284 posts
 
@goofyfoot Thanks for your feedback on the upgrade.  As far as Itunes goes, I purchased a Roon Nucleus a few years ago and stream with  Tidal.  I kept my Ayre player to test for a while and found the Nucleus to be better, plus the library of music is enormous.  I haven't spent the time to master Roon with things like importing holiday playlists, etc but the capabilities are there.  I have an external drive connected to it for the very few artists (like Metallica for ex.) that don't allow their music to be streamed.  Haven't thought about Itunes since.
Thanks again for your input on the Twenty!
 
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