Sonnet Technologies Echo III Desktop 3-Slot Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe Expansion System Reviews
Today's laptop, mini desktop, and all-in-one computers pack tons of power. In fact, they're more powerful than the full-sized towers of yesteryear. To top it off, thanks to modern Thunderbolt connectivity, today's computers support a vast array of peripherals with blazing-fast speeds. But what's missing are PCIe expansion slots — a must-have feature for creative professionals. That's where the Sonnet Technologies Echo III Desktop comes in. This cutting-edge system enables you to connect three full-length PCIe cards to your Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer — simultaneously — with a single cable. If you've been eyeing a high-powered portable computer, but don't want to part with your PCIe-based rig, the Echo III Desktop is the perfect solution.
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Reliable , easy setup and connection
Ive seen reviews that said the fans were loud , this is false . Super quiet, works with my HD Native card and protools 2024 .
Works with UAD cards but kinda noisy
I recently switched from a PC with pcie slots to an M1 MacBook Pro, and got the Echo Desktop so I can keep using my UAD-2 Octo cards. I also use the second Thunderbolt port on the Echo to connect my RME Fireface UFX converter (via firewire with an adapter). It all works a treat. But I give the Echo 4 stars because it's not as quiet as I need in the studio. Indeed, it's louder than my old PC was with three fans in it (in a great sound-dampening case). The Echo's thermal design is really pretty stupid, pushing air in, rather than pulling it out, and the airflow is horizontal (heat rises, duh). A better design would use a single quiet fan pointed up, pulling cool air from the bottom. I made a sound baffle out of cardboard and old fabric, leaning against the side of the Echo and extending way past the ends, so the vents are not blocked, and that cut the fan noise to a tolerable level. But c'mon, Sonnet, put more thought into thermal design, please.