Echo III Rackmount System (3 PCIe slots for full size cards + expansion bay)

Part No. ECHO-3D-TB3

Creatively Expandable

Echo III Rackmount

Rackmount 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

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 Thunderbolt solution — Echo™ III Rackmount — a professional Thunderbolt expansion system that allows you to connect up to three full-length (12.28 inches) PCIe cards simultaneously.

The Thunderbolt Interface Connection

Three Slot Professional Desktop PCIe Card Expansion – when connected to one of your computer’s Thunderbolt ports, Echo III enables you to connect professional PCIe cards (three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card).

Supports Every Thunderbolt Compatible, Non-GPU PCIe Card

Echo III Rackmount 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 Rackmount 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.

Your Entire Multi-card Pro Tools | HDX System in 4U Rack Space

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.

Three PCIe 3.1 Slots Plus Power to Spare

Echo III Rackmount features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.1 slots, 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. 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!

Built for Cool, Rackable Expansion

Echo III Rackmount mounts in a rack space 2U tall, and is only 16.5 inches deep, making it ideal for use in mobile racks, carts, rack cases, and server rooms. 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.

Dual Fans. Ultra-quiet Operation.

Featuring dual Noctua fans, Echo III Rackmount is designed to deliver ultra-quiet operation so that it can be comfortably used in noise-sensitive environments. Rated at 17 dBA — below the 20 dBA ceiling prescribed for use in recording and broadcast studios — the fans spread their noise spectrum to minimize any single frequency’s impact. 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.

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.

Get Full Thunderbolt Performance, at a Distance

Whether noisy PCIe card fans make it impractical to use Echo III Rackmount in a noise-sensitive environment, or because securing it in another room is required, you may find it necessary to put some space between the chassis and computer. No problem! Thunderbolt optical cables (sold separately), available in lengths from 5 to 50 meters, enable you to locate your equipment where you need and connect the pieces without loss of functionality. These thin, lightweight, and tough fiber optic cables are easy to route, and support high-speed data transmission equal to copper Thunderbolt cables.

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.

Designed for the Fastest Connection to Thunderbolt Computers

Echo III Rackmount 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.

Desktop 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 2U Steel Rackmount Housing + Optional Expansion Space – Provides robust and secure protection in server and DIT racks; space for an additional Sonnet expansion module (sold separately).
• 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) – 19 x 16.5 x 3.6 in. (48.3 x 41.9 x 9.1 cm).
• Weight – 23.15 lbs (10.50 kg).
• Package Contents – Echo III Rackmount Thunderbolt Expansion System; region-specific power cable; 6-pin PCIe auxiliary power cable; 0.8-meter Thunderbolt cable; ThunderLok-A connector lock; extension rails for rack depth to 16-24 inches; 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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