Blu-ray Players / Magnetar UDP800 MKII vs Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K
Magnetar UDP800 MKII vs Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K
Magnetar UDP800 MKII
Plays every disc format there is, Roon Ready — but dealer-only, not on Amazon.
Wins overall by 0.0 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.0 points separate them. Plays every disc format there is, Roon Ready — but dealer-only, not on Amazon. The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Magnetar UDP800 MKII and Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K are both closely matched blu-ray Player models, and the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K is $600 cheaper than the Magnetar UDP800 MKII ($1,199.99 vs $1,799.99). On Disc Format Support, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII leads (10.0 vs 6.5/10) — how many disc formats it actually plays, including SACD and DVD-Audio. On Connectivity, the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads (9.8 vs 8.0/10) — HDMI outputs, analog outputs and network options. On Audio Quality, the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads (9.5 vs 9.0/10) — DAC quality, analog output stage and bitstream support. Overall, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII scores 8.6/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.6/10 for the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Magnetar UDP800 MKII | Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1799.99 | $1199.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2019 |
| Disc Formats | 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD, SACD, CD and Kodak Picture CD, plus all recordable variants — the most complete disc support of any current player | 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD and CD. No SACD. DVD-Audio and Blu-ray 3D support are not explicitly confirmed by Panasonic for this model |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision; HLG is not confirmed | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes |
| SACD Playback | Yes | No |
| Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, LPCM and DSD; HDMI carries up to 7.1-channel 192kHz PCM and 5.1-channel DSD | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream |
| HDMI Outputs | 2 — separate HDMI video and HDMI audio outputs | 2 — one AV and one dedicated audio-only output |
| Analog Outputs | Balanced stereo XLR at 4.2Vrms and stereo RCA at 2.1Vrms. No 7.1 analog — that is the UDP900's role | 7.1-channel RCA, balanced stereo XLR and stereo RCA, plus optical and coaxial digital |
| Streaming Apps | None, but it is Roon Ready and supports DLNA and SMB network playback | Yes, including Netflix with surround sound |
| Upscaling & Processing | Upscales Blu-ray, DVD and sub-1080p files to 4K at 50 or 60Hz; the MKII adds a revised engine with cleaner scaling and smoother gradation | HCX processor with 4K upscaling and HDR Optimizer |
| Network | Ethernet only — no Wi-Fi | Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet |
| Region Free | The original UDP800 was region-free for both Blu-ray and DVD without modification; MKII status is not explicitly confirmed | No — explicitly not region free |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Silver | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
The Magnetar UDP800 MKII and Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K are level here, at 9.0/10 each. disc playback quality and HDR handling is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Audio Quality
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on DAC quality, analog output stage and bitstream support. If that is what you are buying for, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII does not close the gap elsewhere.
Disc Format Support
The Magnetar UDP800 MKII leads clearly here, 10.0 against 6.5 — a 3.5-point margin on how many disc formats it actually plays, including SACD and DVD-Audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Build Quality
The Magnetar UDP800 MKII and Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K are level here, at 9.5/10 each. chassis rigidity, drive mechanism and finish is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Connectivity
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads clearly here, 9.8 against 8.0 — a 1.8-point margin on HDMI outputs, analog outputs and network options. If that is what you are buying for, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on streaming apps, tone mapping controls and network playback. If that is what you are buying for, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII does not close the gap elsewhere.
Upscaling
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on how well it improves DVD and Blu-ray on a 4K display. If that is what you are buying for, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Magnetar UDP800 MKII if…
- • Disc Format Support matters most to you — the Magnetar UDP800 MKII scores 10.0/10 here (how many disc formats it actually plays, including SACD and DVD-Audio).
Choose the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores 9.8/10 here (HDMI outputs, analog outputs and network options).
- • Audio Quality matters most to you — the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores 9.5/10 here (DAC quality, analog output stage and bitstream support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores 8.5/10 here (streaming apps, tone mapping controls and network playback).
- • Upscaling matters most to you — the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores 9.5/10 here (how well it improves DVD and Blu-ray on a 4K display).
- • You want to spend less — it's $600 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Magnetar UDP800 MKII
Pros
- +Plays literally every disc format that matters, including SACD, DVD-Audio and Blu-ray 3D
- +Roon Ready with DLNA and SMB network playback and 16TB USB HDD support
- +The original model was region-free out of the box, which no mainstream player offers
- +Genuinely serious build — sound-dampened drive, isolated USB power, high-purity copper wiring
Cons
- −Not sold on Amazon at all — Magnetar is authorised-dealer only, so there is no affiliate link available
- −No Wi-Fi and no streaming apps
- −Stereo analog only; you need the UDP900 for 7.1 analog
- −The remote is widely criticised as nearly unusable in a dark room
- −MKII region-free status is not explicitly confirmed by Magnetar
Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K
Pros
- +Balanced XLR outputs and 7.1 analog make it the most connectable player you can buy on Amazon
- +THX Certified with a genuinely rigid aluminium and steel chassis
- +ESS 32-bit/768kHz DAC and a serious audio section
- +Same excellent HDR Optimizer and dual-format HDR as the UB820
Cons
- −Its video performance is close to identical to the UB820 at more than double the price — you are paying for the audio section and chassis
- −Availability is the real risk: sold out on Panasonic's US store and out of stock at major retailers
- −No SACD
- −Two Amazon listings exist for this model and it is unclear which is canonical
- −Cannot cast from Android
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Magnetar UDP800 MKII or Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Disc Format Support, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII or the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K?+
The Magnetar UDP800 MKII scores higher on Disc Format Support (10.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — how many disc formats it actually plays, including SACD and DVD-Audio.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII or the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K?+
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores higher on Connectivity (9.8/10 vs 8.0/10) — HDMI outputs, analog outputs and network options.
Which is better for Audio Quality, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII or the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K?+
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores higher on Audio Quality (9.5/10 vs 9.0/10) — DAC quality, analog output stage and bitstream support.
Which is better for Features, the Magnetar UDP800 MKII or the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K?+
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K scores higher on Features (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — streaming apps, tone mapping controls and network playback.
Is the Magnetar UDP800 MKII worth the price difference over the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K?+
The Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K is the cheaper option at $1,199.99 versus $1,799.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Disc Format Support.
What's the warranty on the Magnetar UDP800 MKII vs the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K?+
The Magnetar UDP800 MKII ships with a 12-month warranty; the Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Panasonic DP-UB820-K — $549.99
Premium Option
Magnetar UDP900 MKII — $3299.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.