Magnetar UDP800 & UDP900 MKII 4K Blu-ray Players
All Image Credit: Magnetar
Since the demise of Oppo, Samsung, LG and recently Reavon, Magnetar is now the only go-t0 choice for reference-grade UHD Blu-ray playback hardware. This Hong Kong based company has just announced the debut of its MKII Series universal media players designed for audiophiles and cinephiles who demand uncompromising performance. The UDP800 MKII and reference flagship UDP900 MKII players are now becoming available and arrive with several significant enhancements and engineering refinements all said to; “elevate Magnetar’s universal media players to new heights in audio fidelity, video performance, and system integration capabilities.”
These “chunky” players still support most physical and digital formats, including SACD and DSD, together with locally-stored or networked media, and feature upgrades to the proprietary Magnetar video-processing engine to include; optimized color reproduction, contrast, brightness, and noise reduction, and improved upscaling. Both models also feature an upgraded audio architecture, that Magnetar claims to provide; “cleaner signal delivery, reduced distortion, and more accurate reproduction of high-resolution audio.”
Other common improvements include; redesigned USB 3.0 ports featuring isolated power supplies and dedicated hub chips to improve compatibility and stability with external devices, a newly-engineered, sound-dampened optical drive, upgraded interior wiring with high-purity copper-core conductors and premium JST/Amphenol PCB connectors. Both players still feature robust aluminum chassis with dual-layer shielding to suppress EMI.
The UDP900 MKII promises reference stereo and 7.1 analog and digital audio having a redesigned audio processing system featuring; dual ESS 9038 PRO DAC chips paired with Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) retiming on the dedicated HDMI audio port. The advanced XMOS USB audio supports formats up to 768KHz PCM / 512 DSD, plus there are expanded networking capabilities and support for Roon Ready certification.
The significantly lower cost UDP800 MKII is ideal for those audiophiles not needing the 7.1 analog outputs. It to features newly-designed two channel audio boards incorporating seven OPA1602 op-amps for low-noise and high-precision audio. Digital to analog conversion is still handled by two independent L/R Burr-Brown PCM 1795 DAC’s. Plus it includes the same precision HDMI audio TDMS jitter correction as its sibling. The chassis has also been upgraded with an improved sound-dampened design to suppresses vibration for quieter operation. Roon Ready certification and other networking and control upgrades completing the revised design.
Features At A Glance:
- UDP800 MKII
- Roon Ready in certification
- Newly redesigned 2.0 audio boards with seven OPA1602 op-amps
- TMDS retiming on HDMI audio port
- Two independent Burr-Brown PCM 1795 DAC’s
- Enhanced USB 3.0 system with isolated power
- Upgraded copper wiring and Amphenol/JST connectors
- Control 4 Support
- Crestron Support
- UDP900 MKII
- Roon Ready in certification
- Fully Redesigned Audio utilizing dual ESS9038PRO DAC’s
- TMDS retiming on HDMI audio port
- Enhanced USB 3.0 system with isolated power
- XMOS supports PCM768/512 DSD
- Upgraded copper wiring and Amphenol/JST connectors
- Control 4 Support
- Crestron Support
- Wake-up on Lan
Specifications:
UDP800 MKII:
- Disc formats: UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD, SACD, CD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE
- Outputs:
- Analog audio output: stereo
- Independent stereo analog audio: XLR balanced output, RCA output
- Optical/coaxial audio: up to 2 channels /192kHz PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS
- HDMI audio: up to 7.1 channel /192kHz PCM, up to 5.1 channel DSD, Bitstream
- HDMI video: UHD 23.976/25/30/50/59.94/60hz, 1080 I/P, 720P, 576I/P, 480I/P, source direct.
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)
- SNR: ≥120dB
- THD + Noise: ≤0.01%
- Output level: (RCA) 2. 1±0.2Vrms; (XLR) 4.2±0.4Vrms
- Dynamic range: AGT: ≥120dB
- Channel separation: ＞100dB (RCA); ＞120dB (XLR)
- Power supply: AC 100-240V ~, 50/60Hz
- Power consumption: <30W, Standby<0.5W
- Size: 430 mm x 300 mm x 90 mm
- Weight: 6.8kg
UDP900 MKII:
- Disc Formats: UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD，SACD, CD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE
- Outputs:
- Analog audio output: 7.1 channel RCA, 2 channel RCA and Balanced XLR
- Digital audio output: Optical, Coaxial, HDMI
- HDMI audio: up to 7.1 channel /192kHz PCM, up to 5.1 channel DSD, Bitstream
- HDMI video: UHD 23.976/25/30/50/59.94/60hz, 1080 I/P, 720P, 576I/P, 480I/P, source direct.
- Analog audio characteristics:
- 2 Channel:
- Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 50kHz (±0.01dB)
- SNR: ≥120dB (RCA); ≥130dB (XLR)
- THD + Noise: ≤ 0.0005%
- Output Level: (RCA) ≤3Vrms; (XLR) ≤6Vrms
- Dynamic Range: ≥120dB (RCA); ≥130dB (XLR)
- Channel Separation: ≥110dB (RCA); ≥130dB (XLR)
- 7.1 Channel:
- Frequency response: 20Hz ~ 50kHz (±0.01dB)
- Signal – to – noise ratio: ≥120dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: ≤ 0.0005%
- Output Level: ≤3Vrms
- Dynamic Range: ≥120dB
- Channel Separation: ≥110dB
- 2 Channel:
- Power supply: AC 110-120V ~ 50/60Hz / AC 220-240V ~ 50/60Hz
- Power consumption: <40W, Standby<0.5W
- Dimensions: 445 x 321 x 133 mm
- Weight: 15.4kg
MSRP (900 MKII/800 MKII):
- US: $3,299.99/$1,799.99
- UK: £3,399/£1,799
For more information visit the Magnetar website.
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Hello Paul,
Thank you for introducing these super DVD/hi res players. Magnetar does seem to be alone in this segment of market in terms of cost and assumed commensurate quality.
Question: just in terms of pure video performance, is there any reason to think that the $3299 900MKII model would offer better picture quality – than a 2016 OPPO203 ($499 original list) or even current mid-range Panasonic and Sony DVD players. Better color saturation, contrast, detail, motion handling, etc.?
Jerry from Long Island, NY
Hi Jerry,
The only real technical difference between the two Magnetar models are the audio outs. The 900 provides analog stereo and 7.1 generated from by PRO ESS DAC’s while the stereo out of the 800 is provided courtesy of two Burr Brown PCM 1795 DAC’s. The audible difference for stereo analog audio will most probably be very small even for audiophiles. Digital audio performance for both players should be identical. The video performance of both players should also be identical.
As to whether the proprietary video processing and scaling of the Magnetar is any better than lower cost players, or even the OPPO 203, is yet to be seen. However, I would assume that it will be similar to the Oppo 205 video performance which was the same as the OPPO 203, a videophile (and audiophile) delight. As I still own an OPPO 205 with 7.1, I will be buying the MKII Magnetar 800 to play any UK region 2 purchases, now that I have returned here.
Hope the above helps,
Regards
Paul