The best portable, mini desktop and all-in-one computers feature powerful CPUs and include high-performance Thunderbolt™ ports to support peripherals. But they lack the PCIe expansion slots creative pros need to install specialty adapter cards that enable their workflows by adding video and audio inputs, transcoding data, and connecting to high-speed shared storage and networks. Sonnet has a solution—the Echo™ III Rackmount—a professional Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion system. Via a single cable, connect three (up to) full-length (12.28 inches long) PCIe cards at the same time to your Mac®, Windows®, or Linux® computer with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Plugged into one of your computer’s Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports, the Echo III Rackmount system delivers 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth and enables you to connect professional PCIe cards (three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card).
Echo III Rackmount supports every Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU PCIe 1.1/2.0/3.0 card available including video capture and transcoding; audio DSP; 6Gb or 12Gb SAS or SATA host bus adapter; 10Gb or 25Gb Ethernet; SSD storage; and other specialty types to your system.
Do you have a card in mind but aren’t sure it’s compatible? We’ve put together a compatibility list that identifies cards conforming to Thunderbolt technology requirements, and organized by fit and power compatibility with specific expansion systems.
Ready for up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe Cards – no extra parts required
At the flick of a switch, the Avid qualified Echo III Rackmount system is instantly optimized to support up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards, with no extra parts necessary! This chassis has been tested and is qualified by Avid Audio group for use with Avid Pro Tools HD 2020 software, and Avid Pro Tools HDX and HD Native systems.
Sonnet makes it easy to integrate a complete 2- or 3-card Pro Tools | HDX system and a Mac mini® in just 4U of rack space. With the rugged 1U RackMac mini rackmount enclosure plus the 2U Echo III Rackmount you can combine the power of HDX with any Avid Pro Tools hardware I/O for a complete system, including the exciting Pro Tools | MTRX Studio all-in-one audio interface.
Connects up to three high-performance non-GPU PCIe cards to your computer lacking expansion slots via a Thunderbolt 3 cable.
Every Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU card supported regardless of length or height.
HDX compatibility mode enables use of up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards with no additional parts needed.
One x16 plus two x8 slots support three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card.
Integrated 400W power supply with 75W auxiliary power. Saves energy by powering on/off automatically with the computer.
Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans rated at 17dBA automatically and quietly cool the cards.
Offers 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth for the installed cards(1).
One port connects to computer; second port supports daisy-chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices.
Provides robust and secure protection in server and DIT racks; space for an additional DuoModo Module (sold separately).
The Echo III Rackmount features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.0 slots(1), enabling it to support a wide variety of cards at the same time. It integrates a universal 400W power supply, plus a 75W auxiliary power connector to support especially power-hungry non-GPU cards, including the Avid Pro Tools | HDX. The Echo III was designed without a power switch, because it powers on and off automatically with the connected computer, saving energy in the long run. With no power switch, you can’t forget to turn off the system!
The Echo III Rackmount mounts in a rack space 2U tall, and is only 16.5 inches deep, making it ideal for use in a wide range of popular mobile racks, carts, and rack cases, and in server rooms as well. Its enclosure is formed of heavy-duty steel to provide secure mounting for the Echo III module and protection for the PCIe cards installed inside, and to support maximum airflow for cooling, regardless of where you install it in a rack.
Echo III Rackmount accommodates the PCIe cards you need for your workflow, ranging from the largest video I/O and audio transcoding cards, to the smallest Ethernet NIC and USB interface cards
Sonnet includes a 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable that supports Thunderbolt's full 40Gbps bandwidth, and is fully compatible with Thunderbolt 4 computers. Sonnet also provides a ThunderLok™ 3 Thunderbolt connector retainer clip(2) that prevents accidental cable disconnections—just slide it over one end of the cable, and then plug in the connector and secure it to the chassis by turning a thumbscrew. Because of its unique design, ThunderLok remains on the cable so it won’t get lost when not in use.