Magnetar releases a new flagship 4K Blu-ray player with exceptional build quality and performance, priced at €2,500 (around $2,700 / £2,200 / AU$4,100). The arrival of streaming services has made disc formats like Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray unnecessary for some, but studios continue to release movies on disc, and independent labels license obscure and cult titles for deluxe packaging with loads of extras. As a result, the demand for 4K Blu-ray players remains strong.
The UDP900 is Magnetar’s latest player, following its first release, the UDP800, in 2022. It is priced around $1,000 higher than the UDP800, making it the most expensive 4K Blu-ray player on the market. However, its all-aluminum alloy body, reinforced double-layer chassis structure, independently shielded internal components, and dual 60W toroidal transformer power supplies for the player’s analog audio output justify its cost.
The UDP900 also has an ESS9038PRO digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for the player’s analog stereo XLR output and ESS9028PRO DAC for its 7.1-channel analog RCA output. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, plays SACDs and regular CDs, as well as Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, and DVD discs. The player also has a USB type-B DAC input to connect a computer for audio playback.
The UDP900 is an outstanding player for Compact Discs, Blu-rays, and 4K Blu-rays, and it supports the audiophile SACD format. Its unassailable build quality, exceptional audio and video performance, and focus on both make it an excellent choice for audiophiles and movie collectors who want a reliable, ruggedly built machine to play their discs on well into the future.
The UDP900 is a testament to the continued viability of the Blu-ray disc format, which still has new releases on a regular basis, including deluxe editions aimed at collectors and recent movies such as Best Picture Oscar nominees. While there are more reasonably priced high-performance player options such as the Panasonic DP-UB900, the Magnetar UDP900’s exceptional performance and build quality make it a worthwhile investment for those who value reliability and longevity.
