[fado]

I have learned how to download files from HDTracks and Naim Label using Media Monkey or Foobar and DB Poweramp.  I download in FLAC or WAV. I also rip CD's in FLAC or WAV using DB Poweramp. My PC is dying so I want to consider an Apple product such as the MacBook or Mac Mini but they will not be dedicated audio computers.  Once downloaded, I tranfer all music files to dedicated external SSD's used with my Bryston BDP-1 digital player.

Question:
1. Using one of the Apple compatible Media Monkey + DB Poweramp equivalents, can I skip iTunes and download in FLAC or WAV as I have been doing?

2. Is there really an Apple file type that is equivalent or superior to what I have been doing?

Thank You

[guf]

1)
I download/ rip  all of my music as flacs. I store them in folder and use an app called decibel to play them thru a mac mini-- streaming (hardwired) from a my main tower computer. They never see itunes and i dont miss is. I dont have the library structure that itunes offers but i dont mid the simple folder and file system.

2) some people may suggest converting flac into an aiff but the majority just play the flacs.  In my opinion it is not superior