Format ripping software?
 

I've had MediaMonkey recommended to me, and I like it's ability to rip any format to any other format, but I did find it difficult to use and it seems to be pretty f*cking demanding with pop-ups and advertising (yes, I guess I should expect some degree of that when I d/l the free version). My main needs are to rip audio files from acc to mp3, any suggestions?

I understand that iTunes can do this, but I'm hoping I can avoid using iTunes, it is such a RAM hog

Just use winamp and get the needed plugin. Mediamonkey is just a copy of Winamp essentially.