Sonnet Updates Popular Echo III PCIe Card Expansion Chassis Family with Thunderbolt 5

Sonnet Updates Popular Echo III PCIe Card Expansion Chassis Family with Thunderbolt 5

Brie Clayton October 21, 2026

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Hero image displays the Sonnet Echo III T5 Desktop

Desktop and Rackmount Thunderbolt 5 Expansion Systems Support are All Avid Qualified and Support Three Full-Size PCIe

What's New:

Sonnet Technologies today announced the worldwide availability of the complete Echo III T5 family of three-slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe card expansion systems. The shipping lineup includes five products: Echo III T5 Module, Echo III T5 Desktop, Echo III T5 Rackmount, xMac mini (2024 )/ Echo III T5, and xMac Studio/ Echo III T5.

Sonnet Echo III T5 Rackmount

Designed for professional audio, video, broadcast, networking, and storage workflows, each system supports three full-height, full-length PCIe cards through a single Thunderbolt connection. The systems support computers equipped with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 ports, providing a flexible upgrade path across current and previous-generation workstations.

The Echo III T5 family of products is Avid qualified for Pro Tools. Supporting one, two or three Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards, these systems offer the same HDX card compatibility as previous versions of these products. All these systems are well known for their ultra-quiet operation, making them suitable for use in recording studios.

Sonnet xMac Studio/Echo III T5 Pro 3U Rackmount and Thunderbolt 5 Expansion System for Mac Studio Computers (PCIe Cards and Mac Studio Sold Separately)

What's Shipping: The Echo III T5 Module is the foundation of each system in the family. It is available as an add-on module or is included with the desktop and rackmount systems, including xMac mini (2024 ) and xMac Studio systems:

Echo III T5 Desktop is a compact, transportable expansion system designed for use on a desktop and in workflows that require equipment to be moved between workstations or production locations.

Echo III T5 Rackmount is a standalone 2U rackmount expansion system with space for an additional Sonnet expansion module, enabling users to integrate more connectivity or PCIe expansion into the same enclosure.

xMac mini (2024 ) / Echo III T5 combines the Echo III T5 Module with Sonnet's modular 2U rackmount expansion system for Mac mini computers, providing secure mounting for one or two computers and three-card PCIe expansion in one integrated system.

xMac Studio / Echo III T5 combines the Echo III T5 Module with Sonnet's 3U rackmount enclosure for Mac Studio computers, creating an integrated rackmount workstation and PCIe expansion solution.

Sonnet xMac mini (2024 )/Echo III T5 Pro 2U Rackmount and Thunderbolt 5 Expansion System for Mac mini Computers (PCIe Cards and Mac mini Sold Separately)

What They Do: The Echo III T5 Module enables users to connect three PCIe cards to their computer with Thunderbolt or USB4 ports. The module features one x16 and two x8 PCIe 3.1 slots; accommodates up to three full-height, full-length (up to 12.28 inches long) single-width PCIe cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card; and connects them to a computer's Thunderbolt port via an included Thunderbolt 5 cable. The module integrates a universal 400W power supply and includes a 75W auxiliary power connector for cards that require extra power.

Sonnet Echo III T5 Rackmount Three-Slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Card Expansion System

Why It's Important: Choosing a laptop or mini desktop shouldn't mean giving up the PCIe cards essential to professional video and audio work. Sonnet's Echo III T5 expansion systems connect three full-size PCIe cards to these computers through a single Thunderbolt cable. Users can add video capture, audio processing, storage expansion and other capabilities in one desktop or rackmount enclosure, saving space and eliminating the need for separate expansion systems for each connected card.

Sonnet Echo III T5 Desktop Three-Slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Card Expansion System

How It's Distinctive: Echo III T5 systems combine three-card PCIe expansion (including support for up to three Avid Pro Tools | HDX cards) and ultra-quiet operation in a choice of desktop and rackmount configurations. Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans rated at 17 dBA quietly cool the installed cards, making the systems well suited for recording studios, edit suites, and other noise-sensitive production environments.

Each system features two Thunderbolt 5 ports, a Thunderbolt 5 cable and includes a Sonnet ThunderLok connector lock to secure the Thunderbolt cable, preventing accidental disconnections. The systems power on and off automatically with the connected computer.

Sonnet Echo III T5 Module Three-Slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Card Expansion System (PCIe Cards Sold Separately)

When You Can Get It: The products are available now from Sonnet and its channel partners worldwide at the following suggested retail prices:

Echo III T5 Module (part number DM-MOD-E3-T5) $1,099.99

Echo III T5 Desktop (part number ECHO-3D-T5) $1,199.99

Echo III T5 Rackmount (part number ECHO-3R-T5) $1,319.99

xMac mini (2024 )/Echo III T5 (part number XMM-SYS-III-T5) $1,799.99

xMac Studio/Echo III T5 (part number XMAC-STD-III-T5) $1799.99

October 12, 2026Sonnet Announces Single-Slot Thunderbolt 5 to PCIe Card Expansion SystemCompact Desktop System Features PCIe 4.0 Slot, Delivers up to 6,800 MB/s

October 1, 2026Sonnet Announces Industry's Only Bus-Powered 10 Gigabit Ethernet Thunderbolt 5 AdapterThunderbolt Certified Adapter Adds 10GbE to Computers With Thunderbolt or USB4 Ports

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