Sonnet Echo Express III-R Thunderbolt 3 Expansion System

Connect Three Full-Length PCIe Cards to any Computer with a Thunderbolt 3 Port

For pros working in the creative fields, a computer’s processing power alone is not enough to get the job done. A prime example is the latest MacBook Pro-, which, while offering great performance, lacks the PCIe expansion slots necessary to support specialty cards that connect pro video and audio inputs, transcode data, and connect to high-speed storage and networks. Instead of slots, these computers include ultra high-performance Thunderbolt 3 ports to support peripherals. Sonnet Echo Express III-R (Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 Edition) leverages the Thunderbolt 3 ports’ PCIe data to connect PCIe expansion slots outside of a computer. This desktop Sonnet Thunderbolt 3-to-PCIe card expansion chassis enables you to connect three professional PCIe cards-including video capture, audio interface, SAS or SATA HBA, 16Gb or 8Gb Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, and RAID controllers-at the same time to any computer with Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 ports.

The Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) features a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface, which offers double the PCIe bandwidth and connectivity of Thunderbolt 2, and yields up to 2750 MB/s of bandwidth, enabling it to support 4K video capture and processing cards at high frame rates, and 16Gb FC cards and dual-port 10GbE cards at full performance⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾. With the ability to handle multiple demanding, highest performance PCIe cards, support for connecting two 4K displays @ 60Hz or one 5K display @ 60Hz⁽³⁾, and support for a vast array of Thunderbolt⁽⁴⁾ and USB⁽⁵⁾ devices, Thunderbolt 3 is a leap forward in every way.

Three PCIe 3.0 Slots, No Compromise

Sonnet’s Echo Express III-R supports three full-size PCIe cards, up to 12.28 inches (full-length) long. The III-R integrates a universal 300W power supply and includes a 75W PCIe power connector for cards that require supplementary power, such as the RED- ROCKET-X.

Even with all that power, the III-R is enviro-friendly; it automatically powers on or off whenever the connected computer powers on or wakes, or powers off or sleeps, respectively.

Connect computer to one port on the Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) and daisy chain up to 5 additional Thunderbolt devices (plus two 4K monitors, one 5K display, or one USB 3.1 device)

40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 – The USB C That Does It All

The Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports; the first is used for connection to your computer, while the second supports daisy chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices to a single port on your computer⁽⁴⁾. The III-R includes 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 support, meaning you can connect a USB device to the second port using the proper cable or adapter. The III-R also provides full support for connecting two 4K displays @ 60Hz or one 5K display @ 60Hz⁽³⁾. For connected peripherals requiring extra power, 15 watts is provided to connected bus-powered devices.

All-Around Smart Design

The Echo Express III-R’s enclosure is formed of heavy-duty steel to provide secure mounting for the inner assembly and protection for the PCIe cards installed inside, and to support maximum airflow for cooling, regardless of where you install it in a rack.

Its two large, slow-spinning fans, enhanced with computer-modeled airflow management, ensure that even hot-running cards remain reliably cool without the need to install an extra PCIe blower card that would prevent the use of one of the three slots. Because the fans automatically speed up and slow down as needed, you don’t have to guess which speed setting to select, and there’s no need for tools to change settings. There is no power switch on the chassis, nor is one needed, because the III-R automatically powers on and off with your computer.

The III-R’s included adjustable rackmount extension rails enable the chassis to be installed securely in a variety of racks from 16 to 24 inches deep (optional, extra-long extension rails that support installation in racks up to 32.5″ deep are also available). Captive thumbscrews secure the inner assembly, enabling you to secure, release, and slide it out without the need of tools. Using an optional Mobile Rack Device Mounting Kit, you can install two 5.25-inch mobile rack devicesin the III-R’s enclosure without taking up additional rack space.

Captive thumbscrews provide quick and easy installation of PCIe cards and Mobile Rack Kit expansion devices.

Quiet Operator

The Echo Express III-R is remarkably quiet-comfortably used in noise-sensitive environments, it is one of the quietest Echo systems available. The natural convection of warm air through the PCIe cards is assisted by ultra-quiet, temperature-controlled, variable-speed fans, and vented out of the chassis with reduced air velocity and turbulence, resulting in little fan noise.

Every Thunderbolt 3 Compatible PCIe Card Supported

The Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) supports three single-width, full-length PCIe cards, or one double-width, full-length card plus one single-width card, enabling it to support every Thunderbolt 3 compatible PCIe 1.1, PCIe 2.0, and PCIe 3.0 card available.

Echo Express III-R features two x8 plus one x16 PCIe slots for versatile card support

Designed for BNC Connector Cables

Echo Express III-R’s back panel has two BNC connector mounting holes, enabling the use of a RED ROCKET card without the need to install the BNC connector bracket that would normally occupy a valuable PCIe slot.

1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable and ThunderLok 3L Included

To connect the Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) to your computer, Sonnet includes a 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) active cable and a Sonnet ThunderLok 3L Thunderbolt connector retainer clip⁽⁸⁾ to secure the cable to the Echo chassis.

Accidental cable disconnection can lead to data loss. Sonnet’s ThunderLok 3L is easy to install and use-just slide it over one end of the cable, and then plug in the connector and secure it to the chassis by turning a thumbscrew. Because of its unique design, the ThunderLok remains on the cable so it won’t get lost when not in use. Additional ThunderLok 3L retainer clips and Thunderbolt cables are available and can be found under the Accessories tab.

Benefit from a Secure Connection

Sonnet’s ThunderLok 3L easily fastens to a 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) active cable to ensure a secure connection to compatible Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 products. The retainer clips remains on the cable and won’t get lost.

Do you have a card in mind but aren’t sure it’s compatible? We’ve worked closely with PCIe card manufacturers to provide a list of compatible cards on our supporting PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart. The chart provides a list of cards that have been tested to be recognized over a Thunderbolt connection and compatible with Thunderbolt technology requirements.

Red Rocket Supporter

Sonnet designed the Echo Express III-R to accommodate the RED ROCKET or RED ROCKET-X and its BNC connector bracket (for HD-SDI output) card/bracket pair in a single slot. This Echo chassis includes two BNC connector mounting holes, enabling the installation of the card in one slot and its BNC connectors in the chassis’ mounting holes, leaving the two remaining slots open.

Features:

• Connects Three Full-Length PCIe Cards to any Computer with Thunderbolt 3 Ports-Use multiple high-performance PCIe cards at the same time
• Three PCIe 3.0 Slots-Supports three full-height, single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card
• 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 Interface-Offers 2750 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth, doubling the performance of Thunderbolt 2
• Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports-One port used to connect to the computer; second port supports daisy-chaining of up to five additional Thunderbolt⁽⁴⁾ peripheral devices to your computer, attaching a single USB⁽⁵⁾ peripheral device, or connecting up to two 4K displays or one 5K display⁽³⁾
• Remarkably Quiet-Remarkably Quiet-Large, temperature-controlled, variable-speed fans that automatically cool the cards, plus computer-modeled design that reduces airflow turbulence and velocity, combine to provide quieter cooling for all cards
• Built-in Universal Power Supply-Integrated 300W power supply with 75W auxiliary power connector
• Rugged Steel Housing-Provides robust and secure protection
• Power for Peripherals-Provides up to 15W of power to connected peripherals
• Every Thunderbolt 3 Compatible Card Supported-Works with every Thunderbolt 3 compatible PCIe card, regardless of length or height
• Thunderbolt 3 Cable & ThunderLok 3L Included-Includes 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable and ThunderLok 3L Thunderbolt connector retainer clip to secure cable from accidental disconnections

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Brand	Sonnet Teachnologies
Condition	New

Hardware

• Form Factor: Rackmount expansion system
• External Connectors: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Internal Connector:
• 6-pin Mini-Fit Jr (same type as on legacy Mac Pro
• motherboard; provides up to 75W of power for PCIe
• cards that require supplemental power)
• Expansion Slots: Top to Bottom
• One x8 mechanical (x4 electrical) PCIe 3.0
• One x16 mechanical (x8 electrical) PCIe 3.0
• One x8 mechanical (x8 electrical) PCIe 3.0
• PCIe Cards Supported
• One full length, full-height, double-width PCIe card, plus one single-width card or
• Three full length, full-height, single-width PCIe cards
• Compatible PCIe Cards: PCIe cards listed on our supporting PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart and as specified by card manufacturers
• Power Adapter: Universal 300W, 115-230V AC, 50-60 Hz⁽⁶⁾
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F)
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 19 x 16 x 3.48 in. (48.26 x 40.6 x 8.85 cm)
• Weight: 19 lbs (8.6 kg)
• RoHS Compliant: Yes
• Package Contents:
• Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Card Expansion System
• Power cord
• 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable
• ThunderLok 3 Thunderbolt Connector Retainer Clip
• Documentation

Mac Compatibility

• Mac with Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Mac with a Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt port with an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
• macOS 10.12.6+
• macOS Mojave compatible

PC Compatibility

• See FAQ (for SE III/III-D & III-R Thunderbolt 3 Editions)

PCIe Card Compatibility

• For up-to-date PCIe card compatibility see our PCIe Card Thunderbolt Compatibility Chart

Technical Notes:

(1) While the Echo Express III-R (Thunderbolt 3 Edition) features a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface, some computers equipped with Thunderbolt 3 use an implementation of Thunderbolt 3 technology that limits PCIe performance to 20Gbps. The MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) has this limitation in the two right-hand Thunderbolt 3 ports, while offering full performance from the left-hand ports.
(2) Full performance requires the use of the included Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable, or comparable Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cables; look for the Thunderbolt icon AND the number 3 on the connector housings to identify these cables.
(3) One 4K monitor directly supported. Two 4K monitors requires either a 4K monitor with multi-stream transport support (DP out), or a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter. 5K monitor requires a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter. All Thunderbolt 3 Macs support two 4K monitors. Most Thunderbolt PCs support two 4K monitors.
(4) Second Thunderbolt 3 port supports Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 peripheral devices on Macs used with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, sold separately.
(5) Second Thunderbolt 3 port supports USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gb) or Gen 2 (10Gb) devices when connected with proper cable or adapter (sold separately).
(6) Power supply will operate as low as 90VAC, with linear power deration from 300W @ 115VAC to 240W @ 90VAC.

Download User Manual for Sonnet Echo Express III-R Thunderbolt 3 Expansion System