Sonnet Echo III 3-Slot Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Desktop Expansion System

From enhancing your creative workflow to connecting a myriad of peripherals, the Echo III 3-Slot Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Desktop Expansion System is an indispensable tool for professionals who demand more from their compact computers. Whether you're using a Mac, Windows, or Linux system, this expansion chassis is designed to bridge the gap between your high-performance Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports and the need for specialized PCIe expansion slots.

The Echo III Desktop system is a professional-grade solution that allows the connection of up to three full-length (12.28 inches) PCIe cards simultaneously through a single cable. This seamless integration is perfect for video and audio professionals who require additional video and audio inputs, data transcoding capabilities, or high-speed network and storage connections.

With support for every Thunderbolt-compatible, non-GPU PCIe card, the Echo III Desktop ensures broad compatibility across a range of applications. This includes video capture and transcoding cards, audio DSPs, SAS or SATA host bus adapters, Ethernet cards, SSD storage, and more. For those unsure about card compatibility, Sonnet provides a detailed list to ensure your components meet Thunderbolt technology requirements.

The Echo III Desktop is Avid Pro Tools qualified, offering a switchable HDX compatibility mode that supports up to three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards without the need for additional parts. This chassis is rigorously tested and qualified by the Avid Audio group for use with Avid Pro Tools HD 2020 software, as well as Avid Pro Tools HDX and HD Native systems.

In terms of connectivity and capabilities, the Echo III Desktop excels with three PCIe 3.0 slots - one x16 and two x8 - supporting a diverse range of cards. An integrated 400W power supply, with a 75W auxiliary power connector, ensures that even the most power-intensive cards are adequately supported. The system's energy-efficient design powers on and off automatically with your computer, eliminating the need for a power switch.

For a studio environment, quiet operation is paramount. The Echo III Desktop features dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans, rated at a whisper-quiet 17dBA. These fans are engineered to minimize noise across all frequencies and adjust their speed based on the system's temperature, ensuring your creative process remains undisturbed.

Connectivity is further enhanced with a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface, providing up to 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth to accommodate high-performance demands such as 4K video capture and dual-port 10GbE network cards. The inclusion of two Thunderbolt ports allows for daisy-chaining up to five additional Thunderbolt devices, while also supporting a 5K 60Hz display and 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 devices.

The Echo III Desktop is housed in a rugged aluminum case for durability and includes a 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable and a ThunderLok 3 retainer clip to prevent accidental disconnections. Its forward and backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 4 and older Macs with Thunderbolt 2 ports (using additional adapters) ensures it fits seamlessly into any setup.

For those requiring a rackmount solution, the Echo III Rackmount version offers the same capabilities in a 2U rack space, with additional room for optional expansion modules. As part of Sonnet's DuoModo family, the Echo III Rackmount can be customized with modular Thunderbolt expansion systems to meet the unique demands of your workflow.

In summary, the Echo III 3-Slot Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Desktop Expansion System is a versatile, powerful, and quiet solution for professionals looking to expand their computer's capabilities and streamline their creative processes.