Magnetar has announced its MKII Series of universal media players, with the flagship UDP900MKII and the UDP800MKII expected to launch sometime in Q4 2025 to the custom integration market.
The new lineup builds on the company’s existing UDP900 and UDP800 platforms, with the MKII Series introducing a refreshed Magnetar video processing engine for improved upscaling, color accuracy, and noise reduction, alongside an upgraded audio architecture designed to reduce distortion and enhance high-resolution music playback.
Connectivity has also been refined with USB 3.0 ports featuring isolated power supplies, upgraded internal wiring, and new sound-dampened optical drives for quieter and more accurate disc reading.
Magnetar MKII Series Specs and Features
The UDP900MKII (priced at $3,299.99 MSRP) incorporates dual ESS 9038 PRO DACs, XMOS USB audio playback supporting formats up to 768 PCM / 512 DSD, and TMDS retiming on its HDMI audio port for reduced jitter.
The player also supports Roon Ready certification and was recently named Best Home Theater Disc Player for 2025–2026 by the EISA Awards.
Meanwhile, the UDP800MKII ($1,799.99 MSRP) brings similar refinements to Magnetar’s entry-level platform, adding a redesigned 2.0 audio stage, precision jitter correction, and enhanced EMI shielding.
Both models feature a robust aluminum chassis with dual-layer shielding to further suppress EMI, while also sporting upgraded interior wiring with high-purity copper-core conductors and premium PCB connectors for more reliable connections.
Renewed Interest in Physical Media
2024 saw a massive resurgence in home entertainment for both the professional and consumer markets. According to CE Pro’s 2024 Home Entertainment Deep Dive, the median value of dedicated theater installations climbed to $62,500, with a 43% year-over-year increase in the number of such projects.
Meanwhile, Yelp noted a 562% increase in home theater installation requests.
At the same time, clients have expressed renewed interest in physical media as a complement to streaming, particularly among those seeking the higher fidelity and reliability offered by Blu-ray and other disc formats.
Magnetar at CEDIA Expo 2025
Both players are expected to ship in Q4 2025 and will be featured at CEDIA Expo 2025 in booth #4137.
Those looking to check out the players first-hand and happen to be attending CEDIA Expo are instructed to stop by Magnetar’s booth during exhibiting hours.
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