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!