Press Play: Magnetar’s MKII Series Now Shipping with Enhanced Media Playback

Experience unmatched audio and video fidelity with Magnetar’s MKII Series media players, now available with cutting-edge upgrades for enthusiasts and integrators.

A New Era of Media Playback Begins

If you’re like me, always chasing that flawless blend of crisp video and pristine sound in your home theater, Magnetar’s MKII Series media players drop is thrilling news. These new players, the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII, just started shipping and promise to elevate your universal media experience to a whole new standard. I remember the buzz when these models were first teased at the 2025 CEDIA Expo—now finally, they’re here to deliver on all that promise.

Unpacking the Upgrades: Precision Meets Passion

Building on their already celebrated UDP900 and UDP800 foundations, Magnetar listened to customers and integrators to fine-tune every detail. The MKII Series is a symphony of engineering improvements, designed to boost audio fidelity, video processing, mechanical stability, and system compatibility.

How often do you find a device that not only supports but perfects formats like 4K, UHD, Blu-ray, SACD, and networked media? Both MKII models come armed with a new Magnetar video processing engine that sharpens color accuracy, contrast, brightness, and noise reduction. The upscaling? Virtually flawless across all supported content.

Audio-wise, the players now boast cleaner signal paths and lower distortion for crystal-clear, high-resolution sound reproduction. It’s like your favorite albums and movies are reborn with every playback.

Enhanced Connectivity and Rock-Solid Build

Connectivity got a serious boost in these models. Redesigned USB 3.0 ports now feature isolated power supplies and dedicated hub chips for a more stable connection to external devices — no more pesky dropouts or compatibility headaches.

Mechanically, the optical drive got a makeover with sound dampening that not only improves disc reading accuracy but also keeps distracting noise at bay. The aluminum chassis is thicker, reinforced, and layered with shielding to fend off electromagnetic interference. It’s clear these players are built to last and perform under the most demanding conditions.

UDP900MKII: The Flagship Refined

The UDP900MKII stands as Magnetar’s crown jewel in this lineup. It centers around dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs, some of the most sophisticated digital-to-analog converters out there today, ensuring every note and nuance shines through.

Combined with TMDS retiming on the dedicated HDMI audio output, jitter is nearly eliminated, preserving the micro-details and dynamic range that true audiophiles crave. This player supports advanced XMOS USB audio playback too, handling formats up to 768 PCM and 512 DSD. That’s serious firepower for your high-res music collection.

Networking capabilities have also been expanded, making sure this flagship keeps pace with the evolving demands of high-end home theaters and installations.

UDP800MKII: The Accessible Performer

If the flagship is the rockstar, the UDP800MKII is the dependable virtuoso, packed with performance upgrades to keep enthusiasts and integrators happy.

Its reworked 2.0 audio architecture includes seven OPA1602 op-amps, delivering a cleaner, low-noise analog path that directly translates to better playback quality. On top of that, precision HDMI jitter correction, enhanced EMI shielding, and a sound-dampened chassis enhance stability and quiet operation.

Internally, the disc mechanism has been refined and copper wiring upgraded, improving durability and signal integrity. Expanded networking means it’s ready for modern streaming and playback needs.

This player is ideal if you want reference-caliber performance without stepping into flagship price territory—a fantastic option for cinephiles who want true quality.

Pricing and Availability

Here’s the cherry on top: the MKII Series is now shipping! The UDP900MKII comes in at a suggested retail price of $3,299.99, while the UDP800MKII is priced at $1,799.99. But to celebrate the launch, Magnetar is offering special Black Friday discounts:

• UDP800MKII: $1,599.99 (saving $200)
• UDP900MKII: $2,999.99 (saving $300)

These players are available directly from Magnetar and authorized dealers nationwide. If you’re serious about your media playback, now’s the perfect time to upgrade.

“The new MKII models elevate audio fidelity, video processing, mechanical stability, and system-integration capabilities across both models.”

— Official Magnetar Announcement

Why the MKII Series Should Be on Your Radar

If you’ve spent any time perfecting your home theater or music setup, you know that the right media player can be a game-changer. Magnetar’s MKII Series isn’t just an incremental step; it’s a leap toward perfection in universal playback.

From SACD die-hards to 4K Blu-ray buffs, these players cover all bases with precision and passion. And the tactile feel of a well-engineered chassis combined with sound-dampened optical drives? That’s the kind of detail you can’t ignore when you want the best.

FAQ

• What formats do the MKII Series players support?
  They support virtually all physical and digital formats, including 4K, UHD, Blu-ray, SACD, and networked/stored media files.
• How do the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII differ in audio architecture?
  The UDP900MKII uses dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs for top-tier audio fidelity, while the UDP800MKII features a 2.0 architecture with seven OPA1602 op-amps for cleaner, low-noise analog sound.
• Are there any improvements in mechanical design?
  Yes, both models feature sound-dampened optical drives and reinforced aluminum chassis with EMI shielding, improving disc-read accuracy and reducing noise.
• What special features enhance connectivity?
  Redesigned USB 3.0 ports with isolated power supplies and dedicated hub chips provide greater external device stability and compatibility.
• Where can you purchase the MKII Series?
  They’re available through Magnetar and authorized dealers. Special pricing is currently offered during the Black Friday period.

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