Echo III T5 Rackmount (3 PCIe slots for full size cards • Thunderbolt 5)

Part No. ECHO-3R-T5

Built to Rack. Ready to Expand.

Echo III T5 Rackmount

Rackmount 3-slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Card Expansion System for Computers with Thunderbolt or USB4 Ports

Connect Three Full-length Pro PCIe Cards to a Thunderbolt or USB4 Computer

The best portable, mini desktop and all-in-one computers feature powerful CPUs and include high-performance Thunderbolt™ 5 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 T5 Rackmount — a professional Thunderbolt 5 expansion system that allows you to connect up to three full-length (12.28 inches) PCIe cards simultaneously.

Three PCIe 3.1 Slots – 3400 MB/s Aggregate, Bi-directional PCIe Bandwidth.

Echo III T5 Rackmount features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.1 slots. When connected to a Thunderbolt 5 computer port, it provides them 3400 MB/s aggregate, bi-directional PCIe bandwidth. This system supports single- and double-width, PCIe 4.0, 3.1, 2.0, and 1.1 cards including video capture, streaming and transcoding; audio DSP; 10Gb and 25Gb Ethernet; SSD storage; SAS host bus adapter; and other specialty types.

Comprehensive PCIe Card Support

Do you have a card in mind but aren’t sure it’s compatible? We’ve created a compatibility list that lists many cards conforming to Thunderbolt technology requirements and organized by fit and power compatibility with specific expansion systems.

Avid Qualified for Pro Tools: Install Three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe Cards – No Extra Parts Required

At the flick of a switch, the Avid compatible Echo III T5 Rackmount system is optimized to support 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 2026 software and Avid Pro Tools, Pro Tools HD, and Pro Tools Ultimate systems.

Power to Spare. Smart Operation.

Echo III T5 Rackmount supports power-hungry cards with ease. Its integrated universal 400W power supply includes a 75W auxiliary power connector for non-GPU cards that require extra power, including AJA KONA 5, Blackmagic DeckLink 8K Pro G2, and Avid Pro Tools | HDX. Designed without a power switch, the Echo III powers on and off automatically with the connected computer to help conserve energy — you can’t forget to turn off the system!

Ready for Additional Expansion

The included Echo III T5 Module takes up half of the enclosure. Fill the other half with an Echo II DV T5 Module, a 2-slot, dual Thunderbolt 5 interface-to-PCIe card expansion system; another Echo III T5 Module; or an xMac mini (2024+) Module for one or two Mac mini computers.

Built for Cool, Rackable Expansion

Echo III T5 Rackmount mounts in a 2U rack space and is only 16.5 inches deep, making it ideal for use in mobile racks, carts, rack cases, and server rooms. Its heavy-duty steel enclosure provides secure mounting for the Echo III module, protects the PCIe cards installed inside, and supports maximum airflow for cooling, regardless of where the system is installed in a rack.

Dual Noctua Fans: Ultra-quiet Operation

Featuring dual Noctua fans, Echo III T5 Rackmount is designed to deliver ultra-quiet operation for comfortable use 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 the impact of any single frequency. To further ensure negligible noise levels, the temperature-controlled fans automatically speed up and slow down smoothly as needed. The enclosure is also engineered to optimize airflow over installed cards for effective, efficient system cooling.

Rack Rails Included

Echo III T5 Rackmount includes adjustable rackmount extension rails to enable the 2U enclosure to be installed securely in a variety of racks 16 to 24 inches deep.

Secure Connections for High Performance

Thunderbolt 5 Cable and ThunderLok Included. Sonnet includes a Thunderbolt 5 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 5: More Than Just the Fastest External Interface Available

Echo III T5 Module features an ultra-high-speed Thunderbolt 5 interface that delivers the PCIe bandwidth needed to support demanding cards at high performance. The system includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports: one connects to the computer, while the second enables you to connect an additional Thunderbolt or USB peripheral device:

Powers Peripherals. 15 watts is provided to bus-powered USB or Thunderbolt devices requiring extra power through the secondary Thunderbolt port.

Connect One 5K Display Using Spare Bandwidth. Maximize the utilization of one computer Thunderbolt port, connecting a 5K display while retaining full PCIe bandwidth.

Key Features & Specifications

• Adds Connectivity and Capabilities – Connects three high-performance non-GPU PCIe cards via a Thunderbolt 5 cable to a computer that lacks expansion slots.
• 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.
• Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Device – Provides 3400 MB/s aggregate, bi-directional PCIe bandwidth to the installed cards when connected to a Thunderbolt 5 computer port.
• Comprehensive PCIe Card Compatibility – Every Thunderbolt-compatible, non-GPU card is supported.
• Avid Pro Tools | HDX Compatible – Use three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards with no additional parts needed.
• Pro Power – Integrated 400W power supply with 75W auxiliary PCIe power connector for power-hungry cards; saves energy by powering on/off automatically with the computer.
• Remarkably Quiet – Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans rated at 17dBA automatically and quietly cool the cards.
  
• Rugged 2U Steel Housing + Optional Expansion Space – Provides robust and secure protection in server and DIT racks; space for an additional Sonnet expansion module (sold separately).
• Connect an Additional Device – Secondary Thunderbolt port provides 15W of power for an additional Thunderbolt or USB device.
• Mac Compatibility – Mac with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt/USB4 ports. OS support: macOS 15+; compatible with macOS 27.
• Windows Compatibility – Windows computer with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, or USB4 ports. OS support: Windows 11 25H2+ and Windows Server 2025.
• Linux Compatibility – Linux computer with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, or USB4 ports. OS support: Supported Linux kernel, 6.6 or later.
  
• 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 T5 Rackmount Thunderbolt Expansion System; region-specific power cable; 6-pin PCIe auxiliary power cable; 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable; ThunderLok-A connector lock (for securing Thunderbolt cable); 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.

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.