xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5 Enclosure System (3 PCIe slots expansion)

Part No. XMM-SYS-III-T5
(Preconfigured system with modules for Mac minis and three PCIe cards)

Pro Rackmount Enclosure and PCIe Card Expansion for Mac mini (2024+)

xMac mini ( 2024+)/Echo III T5

2U Rackmount Enclosure with Modular 3-slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Expansion

Maximize Your Mac mini Workflow – Connect Three PCIe Cards

The latest Mac mini delivers exceptional processing power, rivaling systems many times its size and cost. Yet in professional environments workflows often require secure rack mounting and expanded connectivity beyond what the Mac mini provides out of the box.

xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5 integrates one or two Mac minis (sold separately) into a rugged, compact 2U steel rackmount enclosure and adds three PCIe card slots through a preinstalled Thunderbolt 5 expansion module — creating a powerful, flexible solution for demanding audio, video, and broadcast workflows.

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 Module 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.

Designed for Expansion: Mac mini + PCIe Cards

For many creative professionals, PCIe card expansion for connecting specialty I/O and processing cards to handle audio and video post-production projects is not an option — it’s a necessity! The xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5 provides space to securely house a Mac mini with Sonnet’s Echo III T5 3-slot PCIe card expansion module preinstalled in the enclosure’s expansion bay.

Configured with Echo III T5 Module

Three PCIe 3.1 Slots – 3400 MB/s Aggregate, Bi-directional PCIe Bandwidth. Echo III T5 Module 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. The module supports  single- and double-width PCIe 4.0, 3.1, 2.0, and 1.1 cards including:

• Video capture, streaming and transcoding cards
• Audio DSP cards
• 10Gb and 25Gb Ethernet adapters
• SSD storage cards
• SAS host bus adapters
• Other specialty PCIe cards

Comprehensive PCIe Card Support. xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5  is large enough to support the majority of Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU cards. Not sure if a card you own or are considering is 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.

400W of Power. A built-in 400W power supply (with 75W aux. power connector) supports power-hungry cards including Avid Pro Tools | HDX, AJA Kona 5, Blackmagic DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G, and DeckLink 8K Pro G2, and Deltacast 12G/4C cards. Systems power on and off automatically with the connected Mac Studio.

Quiet Operation. Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans (rated at 17 dBA) offer ultra-quiet operation.

Control and Connect: Easy Access to Mac minis and PCIe Card Expansion Module

xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5 places your Mac Studio behind a quick and easy to remove front panel. Convenient front panel operation allows you to:

• Turn on each Mac mini using its own dedicated power button 
• Access the ports on the front-mounted Mac mini
• Connect a USB-C device to the rear-mounted Mac mini through a dedicated front-panel port
• Route cables to either Mac mini through the front-panel cable passthrough

The computer mounting and Echo III T5 Modules are each secured by two rear-panel thumbscrews. Both modules slide out through the front of the enclosure, providing easy access to the computers and installed PCIe cards. The system also enables you to connect and disconnect cables without removing the Mac minis from the computer mounting module.

Cool Design: Engineered Around Mac Mac mini Airflow

xMac mini (2024+) enclosure system secures your Mac minis without trapping them in recirculating hot rack air, supporting their thermal design to keep them as cool in a rack as out on a desk. Ventilation holes on the xMac mini module’s front panel plus enclosed chambers beneath the computers ensures their ability to draw in cool air through their bases, while a completely open back enable them to expel warm air out the back unimpeded.

Space for SSDs: Secure Two USB SSDs Beneath the Mac minis

Space is provided beneath the computers to store two USB SSDs (sold separately) at maximum size of 3.2 inches wide by 0.75 inch tall. The space is also suitable for other thin, bus-powered devices.

Ready for the Road: Your Workflow Made Moble

Do you need to take your workflow on the road? xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5 is a perfect travel solution. Its 16.5-inch mounting depth – plus brackets with firm rubber cushions that securely hold your Mac minis in place during transport – make xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5  perfect for use in molded rack cases from Gator Cases, fly racks from SKB Cases, or most any travel rack.

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

• Compact and Rugged – 2U rackmount steel enclosure securely houses a Mac mini with a pre-installed Echo III T5 expansion module.
• Echo III T5 Module – Supports three full-height, full-length non-GPU PCIe cards, such as Avid Pro Tools | HDX cards. For a list of compatible PCIe cards, see PCIe Card Compatibility PDF for details. Expansion module features three PCIe 3.1 slots, two 80 Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports, 400W power supply, and dual Noctua quiet fans (rated at 17 dBA).
• Makes Your Mac mini Road-ready – A rugged, steel-framed module with rubber-cushioned brackets securely holds Mac minis in place. The 2U rackmount enclosure houses both the computer mounting and Echo modules, enhancing mobility and streamlining your workflow.
  
• Perfect for Use in Server Rooms – Standard mounting holes and included adjustable rack rails enable easy installation into any standard server rack up to 24" deep.
• Front Panel Power Buttons – Front panel buttons enable easy and reliable operation of the Mac minis’ bottom-mounted power buttons.
• Port and Slot Access – Direct access to the front ports of the front-mounted mini is provided. A front panel USB-C port connects to the rear-mounted mini. A passthrough opening enables cable connections to both minis. Full access is available to all ports on the back of each computer.
  
• Front to Back Airflow Management – Supports direct airflow through the Mac minis and Echo III T5 Module to keep them operating as cool in a rack as on a desk, even when xMac mini (2024+)/Echo III T5 is mounted between two other rack-mounted components.
  
• Easy Access – Secured with two thumbscrews each to the back of the enclosure, the xMac mini (2024+) computer mounting and Echo III T5 modules can be removed and reinstalled through the front of the enclosure. 
• Power Hub – Single power connection for one or two Mac minis.
• Space for Storage – Beneath the computers, space to place two Thunderbolt or USB SSDs (sold separately) is provided.
• 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.
• Connect an Additional Device – Secondary Thunderbolt port provides 15W of power for an additional Thunderbolt or USB device.
• Compatibility – Compatible with all Mac mini (2024+) models.
• Dimensions (WxDxH) – 19 x 16.5 x 3.6 in. (48.3 x 41.9 x 9.1 cm).
• Weight – 29 lbs (13.15 kg).
• Package Contents – 2U rackmount enclosure; xMac mini (2024+) Module; Echo III T5 Module (3-slot Thunderbolt 5 PCIe card expansion); two region-specific power cables; 6-pin auxiliary power cable; 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable; ThunderLok-A connector lock (for securing Thunderbolt cable); extension rails (for rack depth 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

---

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

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.