Magnetar’s new 4K Blu-ray players are the last disc spinners you’ll ever need — and they’re now available to buy
- Second-generation versions of the acclaimed UDP800 and UDP900
- Designed to play virtually every physical and digital format
- $1,799.99 / $3,299.99; Black Friday discounts currently live
Back in September, we reported that Magnetar was upgrading two of the best 4K Blu-ray players: the MKII versions of the UDP900 and UDP800. And now the new players are available to buy.
This is big news, because we picked the UDP800 as the best Blu-Ray player for audiophiles thanks to its SACD support and wide-ranging audio capabilities.
The new players are called the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII respectively, and Magnetar says they’re “purpose built to support virtually every physical and digital format – including 4K, UHD, Blu-ray, SACD and networked/stored media”. And the new versions come with across-the-board improvements for both picture and audio quality.
Magnetar MKII series: key features and pricing
Both models feature a more powerful version of Magnetar’s video processing engine, with improvements to color accuracy, contrast, brightness handling, noise reduction and upscaling. And their upgraded audio architecture delivers cleaner signal paths and lower distortion for more accurate reproduction of hi-res formats.
The redesigned USB 3.0 ports have isolated power supplies and dedicated hub chips for greater stability and compatibility with external devices, and the newly engineered, sound-dampened optical drive promises improved read accuracy and noise reduction. Both players are encased in a reinforced aluminium chassis with dual-layer EMI shielding.
The flagship UDP900MKII has an overhauled audio architecture built around dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs, paired with TMDS retiming on the dedicated HDMI audio output to “virtually eliminate” jitter. It supports digital formats up to 768 PCM / 512 DSD and has wider networking capabilities than before.
The UDP800MKII features seven OPA1602 op-amps, precision HDMI jitter correction, enhanced electromagnetic shielding and an upgraded chassis, while internal improvements to the disc mechanism and copper wiring deliver what Magnetar says is smoother operation, increased durability and better overall signal integrity.
The Magnetar UDP900MKII is available now from Magnetar and its distributors for a recommended retail price of $3,299.99 (around £2,500 / AU$5,000). The UDP800MKII is also available now, with an MSRP of $1,799.99. If you’re quick you can save $300 and $200 respectively: Magnetar‘s Black Friday deals are still live.
The best 4K Blu-ray players for all budgets
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Second-generation versions of the acclaimed UDP800 and UDP900 Designed to play virtually every physical and digital format $1,799.99 / $3,299.99; Black Friday discounts currently live Back in September, we reported that Magnetar was upgrading two of the best 4K Blu-ray players: the MKII versions of the UDP900 and UDP800. And…
