MAGNETAR UDP800 Review: Premium deck is a universal soldier
The Magnetar UDP800 enters the media player arena as a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking an all-inclusive solution for their entertainment needs. Designed with impressive features and promising high-quality performance, it aims to elevate the home theater experience.
This review will delve into its strengths and weaknesses across various criteria to determine whether it lives up to its potential.
I used an Epson EH-LS12000B on the dynamic video setting. My receiver is an Anthem MRX 720 in a 7.2.4 configuration with two SVS subwoofers. My speakers include three Arendal 1723 THX Monitor S for my LCR, two 1961 Towers for my rear surrounds, two 1961 Bookshelf speakers for my front height Atmos, and four Polk in-ceiling and in-wall speakers for the surrounds and rear height Atmos. I used various Emotiva amps for amplification.
Av info
| Product | Ultra HD Blu-ray/SACD/DVD-A player |
| Position | Currently the only model from Magnetar |
| Peers | Reavon UBR-X200, Oppo UDP-205, Pioneer UDP-LX800 |
| Website | magnetar-audio.eu |
With an appealing and modern aesthetic, the Magnetar UDP800 boasts robust features that enhance any home theater setup. However, as with any product, it falls short in some areas. This comprehensive review will evaluate its setup and connection capabilities, design, disc playback, file playback, network playback, settings, and overall performance. Additionally, we’ll compare it to the Oppo UDP 203 to provide context for potential buyers.
Setup and Connection
The initial setup of the Magnetar UDP800 doesn’t demand a high degree of technical proficiency. The connectivity options are familiar, including HDMI main, HDMI for audio only, USB, coax, optical, RS232, balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA, and gigabit Ethernet. These options provide versatility in linking the media player to various devices and sources and a NAS or media stored on your local network.
Design and Features
The design of the Magnetar UDP800 is undoubtedly a highlight, with a sleek and modern appearance that seamlessly complements any entertainment setup. Its robust build quality and minimalistic front panel contribute to an air of sophistication. Including multiple USB ports, HDMI outputs, and an optical audio output demonstrates its commitment to catering to a diverse array of user needs and legacy equipment options.
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The UDP800 features a brushed aluminum front panel and a solid, highly rigid metal chassis to greatly improve audio and video performance. Its distinctive double-layer chassis structure, thickened to 1.6 mm with a 3 mm steel plate under its base, reduces vibration and noise during playback. However, no rack mount solutions are available yet, though Magnetar has indicated they are working with Middle Atlantic to design a custom rack mount solution.
Settings
The Magnetar UDP800 closely resembles the now-defunct Oppo 203 and 205 players in terms of user interface and settings. It does not support access to streaming services and apps, which might be a deal-breaker for some. I prefer top-notch audio, video, disc, network, and file playback functionality over convoluted streaming app services.
The user interface is intuitive, and the settings offer customization options for audio and video to fine-tune preferences for an optimal viewing experience.
Performance
The Magnetar UDP800 truly shines in playback performance. The media player showcases exceptional image and sound quality when handling SDR or HDR content. Colors are vibrant, contrasts are sharp, and details are vividly rendered, contributing to a captivating cinematic experience. The UDP800 delivers one of the best pristine video images I’ve ever seen for a 4K Blu-ray player.
Video Quality
The UDP800 boasts reference image quality and supports industry-standard and fan-favorite Dolby Vision and HDR10+. I tested many of 2023’s demo-worthy movies for HDR and Dolby Vision across different playback methods, including disc, file, and network playback via DLNA. Movies like “Super Mario Brothers” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3” showcased some of the best color profiles, dynamic range, and HDR, with the UDP800 replicating every pixel perfectly.
Audio Quality
The audio quality of the Magnetar UDP800 holds up well, similar to the Oppo 203. It delivers great audio separation with impeccable dynamics. The sound quality is as expected for a premium 4K Blu-ray player, especially considering its price tag.
Disc Playback
In terms of disc playback, there were no issues. Discs loaded in a reasonable amount of time, and I experienced no problems with newer 4K Ultra HD discs like “Fast and Furious 10,” “Super Mario Brothers,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.” The video and picture quality were top-notch on the UDP800.
File Playback
File playback is quick and seamless. Just stick an external hard drive or USB drive into either of the UDP800’s two USB ports, and you’re off. Watching movies via file playback delivers the same high-quality visual detail and premium sonic fidelity. Hard drives up to 16 terabytes are supported, with direct access from your computer or NAS through your local network using DLNA or SMB protocols.
Network Playback
Network playback on the UDP800 is not as seamless as on the Oppo 203. Pulling content from my Plex server via DLNA on the UDP800 usually resulted in the screen menu freezing up. This could be due to the size of my library. However, accessing movies by alphabetical order posed no issues. If you have a large movie library, it might be better to go directly to alphabetical selection instead of trying to access all your movies at once.
Oppo UDP 203 Comparison
Comparing the Magnetar UDP800 to the Oppo UDP 203, a now-defunct yet respected and beloved player, the Magnetar comes close to being a viable doppelganger. It has a nearly identical user interface, settings, and DLNA options. However, the UDP800 falls short of succeeding the Oppo 203 as a new 4K Blu-ray player champ. Both devices offer impressive playback quality and a range of features. Still, the Oppo 203’s HDMI-in functionality, quicker response time, and input versatility give it a slight edge in user experience and functionality.
Price
Addressing the elephant in the room, the Magnetar’s price tag is staggering. At $1,600, it costs nearly as much as the Oppo 203 and 205 combined when they were first released ($549 and $1,299, respectively). It’s unclear how Magnetar justifies this price for a seemingly carbon copy of the Oppo 203 with fewer features.
Remote
The Magnetar remote feels more convoluted compared to the Oppo remote. The Oppo remote is more streamlined with bigger buttons that are well-placed. The Magnetar remote has too many options that most people aren’t going to use. It is longer and skinnier than the Oppo remote, which is shorter but thicker and heavier. Despite these differences, both remotes are well-made and feel solid.
One notable feature missing from the Magnetar is a remote app for your phone. Oppo players offer this functionality, allowing you to control the player over the network. This might not be a big deal for most, but considering the $1,600 price tag, the absence of this feature is surprising.
SPECIFICATIONS
3D: Yes ULTRA HD: Yes HDR: Yes. HDR10; Dolby Vision; HDR10+ UPSCALING: Yes. 2,160p MULTIREGION: No. Region B BD (but Region-free DVD) HDMI: Yes. 2 x outputs (one audio-only) MULTICHANNEL ANALOGUE OUTPUT: No DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT: Yes. 1 x optical digital audio; 1 x coaxial digital audio ETHERNET: Yes BUILT IN WI-FI: No SACD/DVD-A: Yes/Yes DIMENSIONS: 430(w) x 90(h) x 300(d)mm WEIGHT: 8kg
FEATURES: Balanced XLR and RCA stereo analogue outputs; 2 x USB ports; RS-232 control port; DLNA media playback; dedicated stereo DAC; audio decoding to 7.1 channel pCm, 5.1 channel DSD; HDR-to-SDR conversion; Pure Audio mode
Verdict
The Magnetar UDP800 earns its place as a worthy contender in the media player landscape. Its blend of striking design, extensive features, and outstanding playback performance make it a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking top-tier home theater experiences.
While the remote may seem intimidating for some and lacks a few features compared to Oppo players, its overall appeal and quality make it a recommended choice for those looking to elevate their entertainment setup to new heights, as long as you have deep enough pockets to afford one. Whether indulging in SDR or HDR playback, the Magnetar UDP800 delivers exceptional visual and audio immersion. However, the high price tag remains a significant blemish on an otherwise exceptional 4K Blu-ray player.
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