Magnetar UDP900 4K Player Now Available (For Pre-Order)
Available now for pre-order at both the US and EU Magnetar websites.
UDP900 Image Credit: Magnetar & Hi-AV.Net
With the entry of Magnetar Audio into the 4K player market yet another manufacturer is trying to step into the shoes of the venerable Oppo brand.
Their second player, the flagship UDP900, is designed and assembled in China (Shenzhen) and is similar to an Oppo 205, using ESS DAC’s and having 7.1 unbalanced RCA analog outputs plus stereo XLR/RCA analog outputs. It also has an upgraded power supply that provides a switched mode supply for digital circuitry and a linear supply for the analog audio circuitry.
The new UDP900 rear panel connectivity looking similar to the Oppo 205, Reavon UBR-X200, Panasonic DP UB9000 and GIEC BDP-G5800.
The UDP900 uses the well established quad-core system MediaTek MT8581 chipset supporting 4K ultra HD and HDR together with Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HDR to SDR conversion, with BT.2020/BT.709/BT.601 color space and 4K up-conversion. Audio support includes; Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos and DTS-X and the player can decode DSD64/128, multi-channel DSD64 and 192kHz/24-bit PCM formats with AIFF, ALAC, APE, FLAC and WAV audio file support. No mention of MQA support!
It is capable of multiple disc and media formats, including UHD-BD, BD, BD-R, BD-RE, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD and CD-R/RW. In addition a USB HDD of up to 16TB is supported with direct access from your computer or NAS through your local network using DLNA or SMB protocols.
Top View – Main 7.1 Output Board With ESS Chip And Stereo Output Board With Analog Board Power Supply
The heavily shielded power supply has been upgraded and now provides a 60 watt low noise switched mode supply (SMPS) to feed the digital motherboard and a 60 watt toroidal transformer analog supply that uses high quality oxygen free copper wiring to feed the main analog audio board.
Toroid For Analog PSU and Switched Mode Power Supply
The all aluminum alloy double-layer chassis provides high rigidity reducing vibration while also providing electrical noise screening.
The main board is 6 layers and includes an ultra low phase noise TCXO temperature-compensated crystal oscillator and the same quad-core Mediatek MT8581 processor chip as many other manufacturers. The dedicated stereo output board is 4-layers and uses ELNA, NCC and WIMA high grade audio capacitors, it also has its own local oscillator. Digital to analog conversion is handled by ESS Saber PRO 32-bit Hyperstream II, 8-Channel Audio DAC’s. An ESS9028PRO drives the 7.1 RCA outs while a ESS9038PRO that support up to 140dB DNR drives the balanced XLR and RCA stereo outputs.
Main Stereo Audio Board With ESS Chip
For audiophiles looking for a high quality stereo DAC and those that require the 7.1 analog outputs, other competing 4K player models include:
- Reavon UBR-X200 – DAC’s – Texas Instruments Burr-Brown Audio, two PCM1690
- Panasonic DP UB9000 – DAC’s – original model AKM AK4493EQ, updated model – one ESS SABER ES9038Q2M and one ESS SABER ES9026PRO
- Shenzhen Jieke Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd. (GIEC) BDP-G5800 – DAC’s – Texas Instruments Burr-Brown Audio, one PCM1690 and two PCM1795
- Pioneer UDP-LX800 – DAC’s – two ESS SABER ES9026PRO, stereo only no 7.1 output
- OPPO 205 – DAC’s – two ESS SABER ES9038PRO, one for stereo and one for 7.1 (discontinued model)
Note that it takes a lot more than just the DAC to create an audiophile sound. Other technical issues that should not be ignored include; power supply noise (analog/digital), clock(s) stability and implementation, discrete transistor/chip amplification, resistor/capacitor types, filter options and pcb layout. Also ensure that the selected model supports all the audio file formats, bit rates and depths that you use, for example full MQA unfolding via USB/disc and external storage if desired.
Click UDP900 Spec Sheet for the translated sales product literature.
Technical Specifications:
- Disc Support:
- 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
- File Support:
- MKV, AVI, MP4, WAV, FLAC, APE, DSD – (USB 3.0)
- Outputs:
- HDMI 2.0b video: 4K/ 1080p24 / 1080p / 1080I / 720p / 576p / 576I / 480p / 480I
- HDMI 2.0b audio: up to 7.1 channel /192kHz PCM, up to 5.1 channel DSD, Bitstream
- Stereo analog audio: XLR balanced (1) and RCA unbalanced output (1)
- Multi-channel output: RCA unbalanced output (8)
- Optical/coaxial audio: up to 2 channels /192kHz PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS
- Digital audio output (optical and coaxial): up to 2 ch 192kHz PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS
- Support for high-quality music files: up to PCM 768 kHz/32 bit and DSD 256, DSD1024
- Analog Audio:
- Frequency response: 20hz-20Khz (+-0.03dB)
- Signal-to-noise ratio:
- RCA: >120dB
- XLR: >130dB
- Total harmonic distortion + Noise: ≤0.0005%
- Output level:
- RCA: 2.l ±0.2Vrms.
- XLR: 4.2 ±0.4Vrms
- Dynamic range:
- 2CH RCA: ≥120dB
- 2CH XLR: ≥130dB
- Channel separation (2ch):
- 2CH RCA: ≥110dB
- 2CH XLR: ≥140dB
- Voltage:
- AC 110-120V ~ 50/60Hz / AC 220-240V ~ 50/60Hz
- Mechanical:
- Weight: 34.17lbs, 15.5Kg
Editors Note: I have to say that for the money I would have expected to have seen more appealing front panel aesthetics and tactile button quality, not to mention the missing MQA support and of course HDMI input!
Looking for a high end media player with an ESS DAC? Check out the Zappiti models here.
Shipping:
End July 2023.
MSRP:
- US: $2,999.00
- UK: £2,999.00
- EU: €2,999.00
For more sales information visit EU Magnetar Audio or the US Magnetar Audio web sites.
Available from US based Value Electronics.
For a full review of the UDP900 check out the Korean web site hi-av.net.
Check out these posts on competing 4K players:
- Reavon UBR-X200, UBR-X100 and UBR-X110
- Pioneer UDP-LX500 & UDP-LX800
- Panasonic DP UB9000
- Oppo UDP-205 4K UHD Player Review
- Shenzhen Jieke Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd. (GIEC) – web site: BDP-G5800
I have been looking for a top of the line quality product! That will give state of the art quality in picture and sound and long life span
Hi Brian,
Sorry for the delayed response I was feeling a bit “under the weather”. Your question is rather broad as it depends upon your budget and what discs/files you need to play back. Any of the above players should meet your quality and life span request. However, there are now few places that still have new OPPO 205’s and you need to decide if you need other features like SACD playback, USB connectivity for streaming and internal DAC support and any MQA requirements (this maybe mute now).
Oppo’s have always been my goto players and in the US they still provide excellent repair support, unfortunately there will be no more firmware upgrades. Even the UDP900 seems to have a good overseas technical review but so far I have seen nothing from an established UK and US reviewer. They seem to be well built and use high grade audiophile chips and components but I would like to read a professional review from an established and respected person before any recommendation. They do seem to be on top of firmware issues but I have no information on repair support.
The Panasonic UB9000 is a very good player and you may also want to take a look at the Reavon players.
If you want to give me a few more details of your requirements maybe I can come up with a better recommendation.
Regards
Paul