Magnetar UDP900 Universal Disc Player Review
Table of contents
While the current trend leans heavily towards streaming for its convenience, those in search of the best audio and visual quality sometimes find themselves at a crossroads. There are essentially two choices: invest in a high-end Kaleidescape system or opt for the increasingly rare Blu-ray player. The shift towards digital has caused a gradual decline in the release of new Blu-ray players, leaving only a few options available on the market.
With Oppo's departure a few years back, a significant gap emerged in the market. This void left a demand for premium Blu-ray players. That’s where Magnetar Audio has stepped in, aiming to pick up where Oppo left off. Magnetar Audio offers a couple of different options to the high-end Blu-ray player market. Among those are the Magnetar UDP800 and the UDP900. In this review, we'll focus on the UDP900 which is Magnetar Audio's flagship model.
Specifications
The Magnetar UDP900 is a universal disc player, capable of handling a wide array of disc formats including CD, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and UHD Blu-ray. This versatility ensures it can play virtually any disc you have in your collection. The player is equipped to support all disc-based HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, and it switches between them automatically, unlike some of the current players that are currently on the market.
The UDP900 is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT8581 chipset and features a unique dual power supply design. A 60W toroidal transformer, dedicated to the analog audio components, ensures a cleaner power delivery. This transformer is built with a magnetic core and high-quality oxygen-free copper wiring and is further enhanced with metal shields and full epoxy fillings to minimize vibration, noise, and heat.
Such attention to detail in its construction should enhance the analog audio quality. While these features might not significantly impact users who connect the player to an AV receiver or preamp via HDMI for a digital bitstream, they do make a difference for those utilizing the player's internal DAC to enjoy music from discs or another connected device.
The player also supports an array of high-resolution audio formats including DSD64/128, multichannel DSD64, and 192kHz/24-bit PCM. Beyond audio, it's compatible with a wide range of media file formats such as MKV, AVI, MP4, WAV, FLAC, and APE. This compatibility allows for straightforward playback and management of media files from USB drives or network storage devices.
Design
When you look at the build of this Blu-ray player, it's clear it's made to last. Having owned a few Oppo players myself, I must admit this one feels like a step up in terms of build quality. The front catches your eye with its thick aluminum plate, showing off a sleek two-tone crisscross pattern of a black and brushed dark gray metal finish. The entire body is made from aluminum alloy, and it’s reinforced with a double-layer chassis, making it feel solid and sturdy.
On the front, the player sports a plastic disc tray in the center, complemented by an easy-to-read display positioned in the top right corner. On the right, there's an illuminated power button alongside a set of disc navigation buttons. You'll also find a USB 2.0 port hidden under a cover and a full-size headphone jack.
Inside, the key components are tucked away in metal casings to keep vibrations and external noise at bay, while the large feet on the bottom ensure it stays put and reduces interference. It all adds up to a design that not only looks good but is solid as a rock. It weighs in at around 34.2 lbs and measures 17.5 -inches wide x 12.6-inches deep, and 5.2-inches tall. This gives you a sense of its durability and presence, making it a substantial addition to any entertainment setup.
Turning our attention to the back, you’ll notice stereo and multichannel outputs are placed far apart within the chassis to minimize interference, with separate circuit boards for each. For stereo connectivity, both XLR and RCA outputs are available. The multichannel setup includes eight RCA outputs, categorized into three for the front, four for the surround channels, and one dedicated LFE channel.
Adjacent to these, you'll find both coaxial (RCA) and optical (TosLink) S/PDIF outputs for additional digital audio connections, an RS-232 control port, and just above that is a USB Type-B input, specifically for DAC use. The unit also features two HDMI outputs: one labeled 'Main' for video and audio, and another marked 'Audio Only' for dedicated sound output.
There’s an ethernet port, positioned to the left of the HDMI outputs, while to the right, a USB 3.0 port supports media playback from external storage devices. On the far right, you’ll find a rocker switch controlling the main power, as well as a detachable power cord.
The included remote is quite large but impressively built, complete with a backlight for ease of use in dim settings. The company has incorporated an extensive amount of buttons, ensuring you have direct access to every possible function. The layout of the buttons is somewhat scattered and might require a bit of time to familiarize yourself with the placement. Fortunately, most of the disc playback buttons are located closer to the bottom, making it pretty straightforward to use.
Setup
The UDP900 was securely packaged, double-boxed, and wrapped in a cloth bag. Integrating it into my setup was a smooth process. For the audio tests, I connected it to the XLR inputs on my Trinnov Altitude16 and utilized the Audio Only HDMI output from the player. For video, I used the Main HDMI output to connect the player directly with both a JVC NZ8 and a Sony A9G.
The multi-region/multi-zone version of the player includes a handy guide on changing regions and zones. The process is simple, but it's worth noting that switching between various regions or zones involves a sequence of button presses.
Upon powering up, you're immediately welcomed by a home screen that brings to mind the familiar interface of Oppo players. As I explored the menu, I noticed that while most settings automatically default to 'Auto' at startup, a notable exception is the audio output. It's initially set to PCM, which isn't suited for the full audio experience of Atmos and DTS:X tracks on discs.
Switching this to 'bitstream' is essential for taking advantage of these advanced audio formats. For those using an external processor or preferring to leverage the upscaling capabilities of their display or projector rather than the player's, adjusting the video resolution setting is crucial. A great feature that this player has is the option to output the source resolution directly, especially useful when pairing the player with an external madVR Envy Extreme video processor.
Performance
In terms of performance, the UDP900 impresses with its swift boot-up and loading times. Navigating through a disc's menu or its features feels seamless. The player effortlessly recognizes a wide array of disc formats, including CD, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and UHD Blu-ray, handling every type I tested. Disc playback was also notably quiet.
When it comes to picture quality, the UDP900 delivers impressive results. Its performance was very satisfying on both my 77-inch Sony A9G and my 138-inch setup with the JVC NZ8 projector. The player brings enhanced depth and clarity to the image, making for a great viewing experience. Comparing it with my Sony 11000 Blu-ray player, I noticed the UDP900 managed to reveal a bit more detail in the picture.
On the topic of upscaling, the UDP900 excels at converting 1080p Blu-ray content to 4K, managing to do so without any noticeable artifacts. This was clear while watching the opening scene of "Oblivion.”. The detail on Tom Cruise's face upon waking up was quite close to that of the actual 4K disc, offering a comparable, if not superior, visual experience, especially considering that the 4K transfer of "Oblivion" isn’t the finest example out there.
When it comes to playing media, the performance was solid. At its core, it's a Blu-ray player, but it's handy to know it can handle a variety of movie file formats. I had no trouble playing several MKV and BDMV files, and navigating through disc menus felt just as smooth as when using an actual disc.
Moving on to the DAC performance, which I evaluated using a Martin Logan Motion XT-200 setup, I've come across several reviews praising the player's analog output quality. After conducting my tests, I find myself in agreement. Listening to the Eagles' "Hotel California" on SACD in two-channel mode showcased a clear and detailed sound. The delivery captured the nuances of the instrumentation and vocals beautifully, reflecting a well-balanced audio reproduction that tends towards a neutral yet dynamic tone. As for the 7.1 setup via the RCA outputs, the performance was commendable. However, I preferred using my AV processor and just utilizing the audio-only HDMI output.
Diving into the headphone performance of this player offered yet another pleasant surprise. While enjoying Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" SACD through Focal's Clear open-back headphones, the sound took on an impressive dimensionality. The intricate guitar work on "Money for Nothing" stood out with a clarity and depth that felt as if each strum was happening right in the room.
Conclusion
The Magnetar UDP900 stands out as an exceptional choice for those seeking the pinnacle of home cinema. While its price tag of $2,999 might raise eyebrows, it's important to consider the quality and performance this player offers. For those where budget is a secondary concern to obtaining the best possible media playback available, the UDP900 represents the apex of current market offerings. Its ability to deliver a reference-quality picture, seamless upscaling, and impressive DAC performance places it in a league of its own.
