Good News for 4K Blu-ray Disc Enthusiasts: Magnetar Unveils Two New Players (UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII) at CEDIA 2025

In an exciting move for home entertainment enthusiasts, Magnetar announced the launch of a new generation of premium 4K Blu-ray disc players, the highly anticipated UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII models. This significant announcement came during CEDIA 2025. These advanced devices form a crucial part of the updated MKII series, directly succeeding the previous UDP900 and UDP800 models. It is noteworthy that the original UDP800 was considered an excellent choice for audio enthusiasts among the lists of best 4K Blu-ray players, raising expectations for the new models.

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Both the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII Blu-ray players come with a comprehensive and rich set of advanced features that meet the needs of the most demanding users. These features include SACD playback support, as well as full support for prominent High Dynamic Range (HDR) technologies such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+. These players also provide superior support for immersive surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, to deliver an unparalleled cinematic audio experience.

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The UDP900MKII player elevates the audio experience to new levels thanks to its enhanced audio performance, integrating two high-quality ESS 9038 Pro Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), in addition to an HDMI port exclusively dedicated to audio. It also features USB playback support via an XMOS chip, enabling high-resolution audio playback up to 768 kHz PCM and 512 DSD. For its part, the UDP800MKII player is designed to deliver exceptional audio clarity, incorporating seven OPA1602 operational amplifiers (op-amps) that effectively reduce noise and HDMI jitter. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in this model has been enhanced, and a comprehensive redesign of the chassis contributed to achieving more stable performance and quieter disc reading, significantly improving the viewing and listening experience, according to the company.

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Both devices, the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII, are equipped with specially redesigned USB 3.0 ports to ensure improved performance when connecting external devices. Both also feature Roon Ready technology support, providing a seamless, high-quality music management and playback experience. The UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII Blu-ray disc players are expected to be available in the American markets by the end of 2025. Estimated prices will be around $3,299.99 USD for the UDP900MKII model (approximately £2,440 or $5,050 AUD), and around $1,799.99 USD for the UDP800MKII model (approximately £1,330 or $2,750 AUD). It is worth noting that the company's press release did not provide additional details on the availability of these players in other global regions yet.

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This news represents an excellent update for 4K Blu-ray disc enthusiasts, especially after a challenging period where the industry saw major players like LG and Reavon withdraw from the Blu-ray disc player market. With this development, Sony, Panasonic, and Magnetar remain as leading and vital options in this specialized market, alongside the increasing role of next-generation gaming consoles as playback alternatives.

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Despite some retailers moving to reduce display spaces or decrease 4K Blu-ray disc sales, there are positive indicators that inspire optimism. Best Buy recently launched a dedicated online marketplace for these discs, and prestigious content production companies like The Criterion Collection and Arrow Video continue to offer superb 4K processed film releases. These tangible developments reinforce hope for the continued existence and prosperity of the 4K Blu-ray disc format.