Echo III Desktop (3 PCIe slots for full size cards)

Part No. ECHO-3D-TB3

Creative Expansion

Echo III Desktop

Desktop 3-slot Thunderbolt to PCIe Card Expansion System for Computers with Thunderbolt or USB4 Ports

Connect Three Full-length PCIe Cards to Computers with Thunderbolt Ports

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™ 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 offers an innovative solution with Echo™ III Desktop, a professional Thunderbolt expansion system that allows you to connect up to three full-length (12.28 inches) PCIe cards simultaneously.

PCIe Card Support: Supports Thunderbolt Compatible, Non-GPU PCIe Cards

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. 

Avid Pro Tools Compatible: 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 Desktop system is instantly optimized to support up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards, with no extra parts necessary! This system 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.

Three PCIe 3.1 Slots: Power to Spare for Power-hungry Cards

Echo III Desktop features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.1 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!

Dual Fans: Ultra-quiet Operation for Noise Sensitive Environments

Featuring dual Noctua fans, Echo III Desktop is engineered for ultra-quiet operation, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Rated at just 17 dBA — below the 20 dBA threshold prescribed for recording and broadcast studios — the fans distribute sound across a broader frequency range to reduce the impact of any single tone. Temperature-controlled for smooth, gradual speed adjustments, the fans work with an airflow-optimized enclosure design to keep installed cards cool while maintaining exceptionally low acoustic levels.

Secure Connections for High Performance

Thunderbolt Cable and ThunderLok Included. Sonnet includes a Thunderbolt cable that supports Thunderbolt’s maximum bandwidth and is fully compatible with Thunderbolt 5, 4, and 3 computers. Sonnet also provides ThunderLok, a Thunderbolt connector cable lock, that prevents accidental cable disconnections.

ThunderLok Advantage: Many Sonnet Thunderbolt products featuring Thunderbolt ports come equipped with threaded mounting holes to securely attach a Sonnet ThunderLok connector lock, preventing Thunderbolt cables from accidentally disconnecting.

Thunderbolt Technology: Fastest External Interface Available

Sonnet Thunderbolt products feature a high-speed Thunderbolt interface that delivers PCIe bandwidth needed to support data transfers at full speed.

Connect Additional Thunderbolt Devices. One port is reserved for connecting to your computer; the second port enables connection of additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices in a daisy chain.

10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 Support. 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 support allows you to connect a USB device to the second Thunderbolt port using the proper cable or adapter.

Provides 15W of Power. For peripherals requiring extra power, 15 watts is provided to bus-powered devices through the secondary Thunderbolt port.

Supports Connecting Up to One 8K Display. Maximize the utilization of one computer Thunderbolt port, connecting the largest display supported by your computer.

Pro Expansion: Designed for the Fastest Connection to Thunderbolt Computers

Echo III Desktop is purposely designed with a Thunderbolt 3 controller and its four lanes of PCIe (not available in a Thunderbolt 4 peripheral) to achieve maximum simultaneous ingest speeds. Watch this video to learn more about the performance benefits.

Rackmount Version Available

Choose between Echo III Rackmount and Echo III Desktop to suit your workflow needs. 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. Echo III Rackmount even offers space for an optional expansion module.

Key Features & Specifications

• Adds Connectivity and Capabilities – Connects up to three high-performance non-GPU PCIe cards via a Thunderbolt cable to your computer lacking expansion slots.
• Avid Pro Tools | HDX Compatible – HDX compatibility mode enables use of up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards with no additional parts needed.
• Broad PCIe Card Compatibility – Every Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU card supported regardless of length or height.
• Three PCIe 3.1 Slots – One x16 plus two x8 slots support three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card.
• Pro Power – Integrated 400W power supply with 75W auxiliary power. Saves energy by powering on/off automatically with the computer.
• Remarkably Quiet – Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans rated at 17 dBA automatically and quietly cool the cards.
• Thunderbolt to PCIe Device – Offers full PCIe bandwidth for the installed cards.
• Connect Additional Thunderbolt Devices – One port connects to computer; second port supports daisy-chaining of additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices.
• Rugged Aluminum Housing – Provides robust and secure protection.
• Computer Compatibility – Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux. See Tech Specs for details.
• PCIe Card Compatibility – For a list of compatible PCIe cards, see PCIe Card Compatibility PDF for details.
  
• Dimensions (WxDxH) – 3.5 x 16.7 x 9 in. (8.9 x 42.4 x 22.9 cm).
• Weight – 9.7 lbs (4.40 kg).
• Package Contents – Echo III Desktop Thunderbolt Expansion System; region-specific power cable; 6-pin PCIe auxiliary power cable; 0.8-meter Thunderbolt cable; ThunderLok-A connector lock; product documentation.
  
• Warranty – 2-year product warranty.
• Customer Support – Lifetime technical support.
• The Sonnet Advantage – Innovating technology since 1986.

Note: Computers and accessories featured in photos are not included with the product. Product specifications are subject to change without notice.

Product Overview and Tech Specs
Visit: Product Page

Pre-sales Questions?
Contact: sales@sonnettech.com

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Product specifications and information subject to change without notice. Computer hardware and accessories featured in photos that are not included with product are shown for illustration purposes; items sold separately.