Media players aren't dead after all, as Magnetar is launching not one, but two separate devices geared towards cinephiles.
The UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII are here to be the end-all-be-all of media players. As Magnetar claims, these MKII series of devices can play "virtually every physical and digital format under one roof," and hi-resolution audio will make them an audiophile's delight, as well.
These advancements come at a cost, though. The flagship UDP900MKII will launch at $3,299, while the UDP800MKII will still be a hefty $1,799. Both will launch in Q4 2025, but you can get your first look at them at CEDIA Expo, which starts this week.
The two most powerful media players
Who would have thought that two new media players would launch in 2025, let alone the two most powerful yet? Magnetar is making some bold claims with these devices, but the hardware seems adequate enough to handle support for serious audio coverage.
The flagship UPD900MKII will leverage XMOS USB playback, as well as dual ESS 9038 Pro DACs, and will support 512 DSD high-resolution audio. Meanwhile, the less expensive UDP800MKII will feature enhanced EMI shielding to minimize unwanted noise while reading discs, along with seven OPA1602 op-amps. Additionally, HDMI jitter is eliminated.
As you can see, Magnetar goes the extra mile when it comes to its media players, most especially when it comes to audio performance. The MKII series will also have new USB 3.0 ports that will lend it better performance from connected devices.
Given their premium nature, you can also expect the MKII series to corral a slew of extra features, like Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, SACD playback, and more. As already mentioned, they will also support nearly every physical and digital format, including Blu-ray, UHD, networked media, 4K, and more.
You'll get your first look at Magnetar's MKII series at CEDIA this week. The two devices will launch at a serious premium, with the UDP900MKII coming in at $3,299 and the UDP800MKII priced at $1,799.
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