Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Blu-ray, DVD & 4K Media Players

Magnetar Doubles Down on Physical Media with UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII Blu-ray Players at CEDIA 2025

Magnetar’s blu-ray disc players prove physical media isn’t dead with 4K UHD, hi-res audio, Roon Ready, and reference build quality that will take a bite out of your wallet.

magnetar-udp800mkii-udp900mki-bi

When OPPO Digital bailed on the Blu-ray player market, plenty of people wrote the obituary for physical media. But while the streaming crowd sharpened their shovels, brands like Reavon and Magnetar kept showing up to the wake with new hardware.

Magnetar’s latest proof that Blu-ray isn’t six feet under is the MKII Series: the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII universal media players. These aren’t warmed-over reissues — they’re precision-tuned updates built with home theater integration front and center.

Building on the original UDP900 and UDP800, the MKII models bring tangible upgrades in both engineering and performance. The refinements aren’t just cosmetic; they push feature sets, audio/video fidelity, and system control further than before. For anyone who still wants the best possible playback from discs — and doesn’t buy the “physical media is dead” sermon — Magnetar just handed you your next player.

Magnetar UDP900MKII

Next-Generation Blu-ray: Magnetar UDP900MKII & UDP800MKII Universal Players

The UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII cover just about every format still in circulation — 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, SACD, plus stored and networked media — with updated video processing and audio performance designed for reference-level playback.

The proprietary Magnetar video engine has been refreshed for the MKII Series, bringing more accurate color, improved contrast, smarter noise reduction, and better upscaling. The goal is straightforward: cleaner, more consistent picture quality across all supported formats.

Audio hasn’t been ignored either. Both models use an upgraded architecture that reduces distortion, improves signal integrity, and handles high-resolution formats with greater precision.

Connectivity and integration are stronger this time around. USB 3.0 ports now include isolated power supplies and dedicated hub chips, improving compatibility and stability with external devices.

Build quality is equally deliberate: a newly engineered, sound-dampened optical drive for quieter and more accurate disc reads, a reinforced aluminum chassis with dual-layer EMI shielding, and upgraded internal wiring with copper-core conductors paired with JST/Amphenol connectors. The result is better interference resistance and more reliable connections.

Physical media may not dominate the conversation anymore, but the MKII Series makes a solid case that it’s far from obsolete.

From Rob Jones, President, Magnetar North America: “With the new MKII Series, we’ve raised the standard for universal media playback while honoring the passion of integrators and enthusiasts who continue to value physical and high-resolution media,…These players bring unmatched performance, reliability, and integration flexibility to the table, reaffirming Magnetar’s role as the go-to choice for premium home theater systems.” 

UDP900MKII

Magentar UDP900MKII CEDIA 2025

The UDP900MKII sits at the top of Magnetar’s lineup as the new flagship. Its audio section is built around dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs, paired with TMDS retiming on the dedicated HDMI audio output to cut jitter and preserve fine detail.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Magnetar UDP900MII Inside

On the digital side, advanced XMOS USB audio playback handles formats up to 768kHz PCM and DSD512, making it well-suited for high-resolution libraries without compromise. Networking has also been expanded, and the player is now prepped for Roon Ready certification, giving it stronger integration with modern streaming setups.

Recognition hasn’t been slow to follow: the UDP900MKII was recently named Best Home Theater Disc Player 2025–2026 by the EISA Awards — a reminder that, in a supposedly “dead” category, Magnetar’s flagship is still earning top honors.

UDP800MKII

Magnetar UDP800MKII

The UDP800MKII is the more accessible sibling to the flagship 900MKII, but it holds its own with a strong technical package. The redesigned 2.0 audio stage uses seven OPA1602 op-amps for low-noise, high-precision output, supported by HDMI jitter correction and enhanced EMI shielding for cleaner performance.

A new sound-dampened chassis reduces vibration for quieter operation, while upgraded disc mechanics and copper wiring improve stability and long-term reliability. Like the 900MKII, networking has been refined, with support for Roon Ready certification included.

The UDP800MKII is positioned as the choice for those who want reference-level playback and integration but don’t need every flagship feature.

Pro Tip: Full specifications for both the 900MKII and 800MKII are still pending.

The Bottom Line

With support for every major disc format, hi-res codecs, Roon Ready certification, 4K UHD playback, and advanced upscaling, Magnetar’s MKII players are built for performance and long-term reliability. Their robust chassis design, upgraded wiring, and precision optical drives make them true reference-level components in a market where choices are getting thin.

For those sitting on large disc collections, the landscape really comes down to three paths: a Kaleidescape movie server system, an entry-level player like Panasonic’s DP-UB820, or a high-end universal Blu-ray player such as Magnetar’s UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII. The entry-level solution gets the job done, but the top-tier options deliver superior video, cleaner audio, and the simple fact that — unlike streaming — you actually own the movies.

Price & Availability 

The Magnetar UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII are expected to ship in Q4 2025  Magnetar’s authorized dealer and distributor network. MSRP for the UDP900MKII is $3,299 and MSRP for the UDP800MKII is $1,799.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Loewe x Jacob & Co. Wireless Headphones Iced Diamond and Noir Rainbow

New Products

Loewe x Jacob & Co. unveil two limited-edition wireless headphones encrusted with sapphires or diamonds based on the Loewe Leo for either $115K or...

Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 Headphones Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 Headphones

New Products

Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 handcrafted Japanese open-back headphones with HXDT drivers, 275g lightweight design, and flagship sound. Sennheiser who?

Audio-Technica AT33x Phono Cartridges Audio-Technica AT33x Phono Cartridges

New Products

Priced from $449 to $899, the Audio-Technica AT33x Series stereo and mono MC phono cartridges feature die-cast zinc, hybrid bodies and refined suspension for...

WiiM Sound Smart Speaker Lifestyle White WiiM Sound Smart Speaker Lifestyle White

New Products

At $299, the WiiM Sound features room correction, Wi-Fi 6E, stereo pairing and 5.1 setups, but lacks AirPlay, HDMI-ARC, and a phono input.

Popori Acoustics Vitorla Electrostatic Loudspeakers Beach House Lifestyle Popori Acoustics Vitorla Electrostatic Loudspeakers Beach House Lifestyle

Floorstanding Speakers

Popori Acoustics Vitorla proves electrostatic loudspeakers can finally sound alive—and look like a sculpture while doing it. Hear them at Warsaw and Capital Audiofest...

Clearaudio Mini Toolkit Clearaudio Mini Toolkit

New Products

Clearaudio’s Mini Toolkit provides precision tools for perfect turntable setup, cartridge alignment, and vinyl care for the best possible sound.

Gift Ideas?

Hi-Fi Audio Gifts Under 500 in 2025

Gift Guides

Affordable audio for a lot less than you'd think from trusted brands that will payback dividends all year with sonic enjoyment.

You May Also Like

New Products

At $299, the WiiM Sound features room correction, Wi-Fi 6E, stereo pairing and 5.1 setups, but lacks AirPlay, HDMI-ARC, and a phono input.

Blu-ray, DVD & 4K Media Players

Streaming movie and TV shows is getting very complicated, and you may not always get what you think you're paying for.

Headphone Amps

FiiO expands its line-up with K17 Headphone Amp, which provides a lot of features and connectivity that raise the price, but should please any...

Best Right Now

After three days roaming the hallowed halls of CEDIA Expo 2025, here are our picks for "Best in Show" for home theater systems.

Best Right Now

From media players to video processors, giant TVs and auto-masking screens, here are our picks for best video products at CEDIA Expo 2025.

Best Right Now

CEDIA Expo 2025 featured many fine speakers, amps, processors and other audio-related gear. Here are our picks for Best in Show.

Best Right Now

Special guest, John Sciacca of Residential Systems joins the eCoustics team to discuss the best products at CEDIA Expo 2025.

Blu-ray, DVD & 4K Media Players

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers Vega OS and cloud app streaming but lacks Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and full app support, making...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers