Magnetar’s MKII Series Now Shipping

Magnetar has officially begun shipping its new MKII Series media players, the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII, following their debut at CEDIA Expo 2025. These upgraded models build on the success of Magnetar’s previous platforms, adding refinements in video processing, audio quality, mechanical stability, and system integration. Designed for professionals and enthusiasts, the MKII Series supports a wide range of formats while delivering cleaner, more accurate playback.

The flagship UDP900MKII features high-end dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs, advanced jitter reduction, and expanded network capabilities for premium installations. The UDP800MKII also gets a major performance boost with a redesigned audio path, improved EMI shielding, and a quieter, reinforced chassis, making it a strong choice for high-quality playback at a more accessible price. Both models are now available through Magnetar and authorized dealers, with special Black Friday pricing.

Magnetar, a leading provider of premium media players engineered for enthusiasts who demand uncompromising performance, today announced that the highly anticipated MKII Series – the UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII – is now shipping. First introduced at CEDIA Expo 2025, the new MKII models bring the precision-tuned enhancements previewed earlier this year directly into the hands of dealers, integrators, and enthusiasts nationwide.

Building on Magnetar’s award-winning UDP900 and UDP800 platforms, the MKII Series incorporates a comprehensive suite of engineering refinements developed in direct response to key customer and integrator feedback. Now unleashed, these upgrades elevate audio fidelity, video processing, mechanical stability, and system-integration capabilities across both models. A new benchmark for reference-grade disc playback has been set.

The New Standard in Universal Playback 

The UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII are purpose built to support virtually every physical and digital format – including 4K, UHD, Blu-ray, SACD, and networked/stored media – with a refined and more powerful Magnetar proprietary video processing engine. Enhancements across the board include improved color accuracy, contrast, brightness handling, noise reduction, and superior upscaling across supported content. Both models come equipped with upgraded audio architecture for cleaner signal paths, lower distortion, and more accurate reproduction of high-resolution formats.

Connectivity has also been significantly expanded with redesigned USB 3.0 ports featuring isolated power supplies and dedicated hub chips for greater external-device stability and compatibility. Mechanically, a newly engineered sound-dampened optical drive improves disc-read accuracy and reduces noise, while a reinforced aluminum chassis with dual-layer shielding offers improved EMI suppression.

UDP900MKII – The Flagship, Refined and Delivered

The UDP900MKII – Magnetar’s newly arrived flagship offering – delivers the full expression of the engineering innovations first previewed earlier this year. At its core is an overhauled audio architecture built around dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs, among the most advanced digital-to-analog converters available today. Paired with TMDS retiming on the dedicated HDMI audio output, the player virtually eliminates jitter to preserve micro-detail, dynamic nuance, and the integrity of high-resolution soundtracks. The UDP900MKII also incorporates advanced XMOS USB audio playback, supporting formats up to 768 PCM / 512 DSD for pristine reproduction of even the largest hi-res libraries. Further refinements to the flagship model include expanded networking capabilities to further ensure the player meets both current and future demands of high-end installations.

UDP800MKII – Performance Driven Upgrades, Delivered 

The UDP800MKII arrives as a fully refined evolution of Magnetar’s most accessible universal media platform, bringing next-level performance enhancements directly to enthusiasts and integrators. Its reworked 2.0 audio architecture, incorporating seven OPA1602 op-amps, provides a cleaner, low-noise analog path for improved sound quality and playback. Precision HDMI jitter correction, enhanced EMI shielding, and an upgraded, sound-dampened chassis further stabilize playback and suppress mechanical noise. Internally, improvements to the disc mechanism and copper wiring deliver smoother operation, increased durability, and better overall signal integrity. With expanded networking capabilities, the UDP800MKII offers a significant performance uplift while maintaining the accessibility and versatility that made the original UDP800 a favorite among cinephiles. Now available, it’s the ideal choice for those seeking reference-caliber playback without stepping into flagship territory.

Pricing and Availability 

The Magnetar UDP900MKII (MSRP $3,299.99) and UDP800MKII (MSRP $1,799.99) are now shipping and available directly through Magnetar as well as through Magnetar’s network of authorized dealers and distributors.

To mark the arrival of the MKII Series, Magnetar is offering special introductory Black Friday pricing: $1,599.99 for the UDP800MKII ($200 off MSRP) and $2,999.99 for the UDP900MKII ($300 off MSRP).