It's the only way that I know of unfortunately. Is there a particular reason you want to do it via another means? I feel like for me it's the only way and it's the only way I know so I've just kind of got stuck in my ways with ripping the CD in iTunes/Apple Music and then sync the files using iCloud Music Library.
Yeah... I'm currently building my "library" in Apple Music, however I have also been keeping a list of things that are not "available" to rip & upload.
What annoys me is when you try to add something to your cloud music library and the album is "not available in your region", yet the album is available to purchase through the iTunes Store! Anyways rant over...