New Kenwood Music Keg rocks 60GB, AAC

Kenwood on Friday upgraded its top-end Music Keg media players with the HD60GD9. The new 60GB version doubles the storage of the model from a year before and also supports unprotected AAC, giving it access to CDs ripped in iTunes and songs bought in iTunes Plus format. The audio specialist also promises that its extreme attention to sound quality has only been enhanced for this model. An updated Supreme EX decoder actively interpolates compressed tracks to fill in missing detail. Engineers also went so far as to build a vibration-free plastic and gel mount for the hard drive and a non-magnetic metal frame inside the system that prevents interference, Kenwood boasts.

Besides the relatively recent AAC format, the upgraded Music Keg continues to support MP3, WAV, WMA, and the company's self-produced Kenwood Lossless standard; playback lasts up to 20 hours. The standard edition of the HD60GD9 is due to arrive in Japan by early October with open pricing; a special audiophile edition with a gold-plated inner frame known as the HD60GD9EC is due at the same time but has an estimated price of about $501. Optional KH-C711 in-canal earbuds will also be available to replace the packed over-the-ear models and will also sell for an open price, the company says. Kenwood has avoided exporting its portable players to North America but includes the option of English menus. [via Impress]