For creative pros using the latest portable, mini desktop and all-in-one computers in their workflows, onboard processing power alone is not enough to get the job done. While these Mac®, Windows®, and Linux® computers include high-performance Thunderbolt™ 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports to support peripherals, what they lack is PCIe expansion slots to install specialty cards that add needed video and audio inputs, transcode data, and connect to high-speed shared storage and networks. Sonnet has a creative solution — the Echo™ III Desktop — a professional Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion system that enables you to connect three (up to) full-length (12.28 inches long) PCIe cards at the same time, via a single cable.
Plugged into one of your computer’s Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports, the Echo III Desktop system 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 Desktop supports every Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 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.
At the flick of a switch, the Avid qualified Echo III Desktop 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.
Avid Pro Tools | HDX cards sold separately
Echo III is separately qualified by the Avid Video group for use with Avid Media Composer/Symphony with many current and older Mac computers with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 2 ports.
Connects up to three high-performance non-GPU PCIe cards via a Thunderbolt cable to your computer lacking expansion slots.
HDX compatibility mode enables use of up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards with no additional parts needed.
Every Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU card supported regardless of length or height.
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 full PCIe bandwidth for the installed cards Learn more about Thunderbolt 3 performance benefits over Thunderbolt 4.
One port connects to computer; second port supports daisy-chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices.
Provides robust and secure protection.
Supports M series Macs (with PCIe cards that have compatible drivers).
Supports Intel Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports and Thunderbolt 2 ports (with adapter and Thunderbolt 2 cable, both sold separately); and Windows computers with Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Supports Linux computers with Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The Echo III Desktop features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.0 slots, enabling it to support a wide variety of cards at the same time. To support really power-hungry cards, it integrates a universal 400W power supply and includes a 75W auxiliary power connector for non-GPU cards that require extra power, including the Avid Pro Tools | HDX. Designed without a power switch, the Echo III 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!
Featuring dual Noctua fans, the Echo III Desktop is designed to deliver ultra-quiet operation so that it can be comfortably used in noise-sensitive environments. Rated at 17.1dBA — below the 20dBA ceiling prescribed for use in recording and broadcast studios — the fans spread the spectrum of their noise to minimize the impact at any single frequency. To further ensure negligible noise levels, the fans are temperature-controlled, automatically speeding up and slowing down smoothly as needed, and the enclosure is engineered to optimize airflow over the installed cards to effectively and efficiently cool the system.
Sonnet includes a Thunderbolt cable that supports Thunderbolt’s full 40Gbps bandwidth, and is fully compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 computers. Sonnet also provides a ThunderLok™ 3 Thunderbolt connector retainer clip 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.
The Echo III Desktop features a 40Gbps Thunderbolt interface that delivers up to 2800 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth, enabling it to support 4K video capture and processing cards at high frame rates, audio DSPs, and 25GbE and dual-port 10GbE network cards at full performance.
Compatible with Apple M series Macs
see Tech Specs for details
Choose between the Echo III Rackmount and Echo III Desktop to suit your workflow needs. 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. The Echo III Rackmount even offers space for an optional expansion module.
The heart of the Echo III Desktop – the Echo III Module – is part of Sonnet’s DuoModo™ family of modular Thunderbolt expansion systems, comprising of interchangeable modules for PCIe cards and eGPU card expansion, a Mac mini mounting system (with integrated 40Gbps Thunderbolt storage dock), and desktop and rackmount enclosures so you can quickly and easily interchange modules depending on your workflow.
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