Designed for Expansion

Connect Specialty Audio and Video Cards

Three Systems to Choose From

For many creative professionals, PCIe card expansion for connecting specialty cards to handle audio and video post-production projects is not an option — it’s a necessity! Sonnet designed the xMac Studio for pro workflow flexibility; choose a system configured with a Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module that best suits your needs. xMac Studio is also available without a module so you can add one at a later date, or use one of your existing compatible Sonnet expansion modules*.

Three Card Expansion

xMac Studio/Echo III

Enclosure with Echo III Module

Three PCIe 3.0 slots
(one x16 plus two x8 slots; supports PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 PCIe cards)

Supports three full-height,
full-length PCIe cards

Two 40Gbps Thunderbolt ports

400W power supply
(with 75W aux. power connector)

Dual Noctua quiet fans
(rated at 17 dbA)

Includes power cable, 40Gbps Thunderbolt cable, ThunderLok 3 connector retainer clip, and two adhesive-backed magnets for mounting portable SSDs

Part No. XMAC-STD-III

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Supports up to three Avid Pro Tools | HDX Cards

One Card Expansion

xMac Studio/Echo I

Enclosure with Echo I Module

One PCIe slot
(one x16 slot; supports PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 PCIe cards)

Supports one full-height,
full-length PCIe card

One 40Gbps Thunderbolt port

400W power supply
(with 150W aux. power connectors)

Dual Noctua quiet fans
(rated at 17 dbA)

Includes power cable, 40Gbps Thunderbolt cable, ThunderLok 3 connector retainer clip, and two adhesive-backed magnets for mounting portable SSDs

Part No. XMAC-STD-I

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Optional Card Expansion

xMac Studio/No Module

Enclosure with no module

Pro rackmount enclosure with an open bay for an Echo III or Echo I Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module

Includes two adhesive-backed magnets for mounting portable SSDs

Part No. XMAC-STD-0

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* Compatible with Echo III and Echo I Modules used in DuoModo and Echo desktop and rackmount Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion systems

Echo III and Echo I Expansion Modules’ Features

PCIe cards not included with modules

Versatile PCIe Card Expansion

From low-profile, half-length to full-height, full-length in size, Echo expansion modules support every Thunderbolt-compatible, non-GPU PCIe card available.

View PDF of supported PCIe cards

400W of Power

Built-in 400W power supply supports power-hungry cards including Avid Pro Tools | HDX, AJA® Kona® 5, Blackmagic Decklink 4K Extreme 12G, and Blufish444’s Epoch and KRONOS SDI cards. System powers on and off automatically with the connected Mac Studio.

Quiet Fans

Dual temperature-controlled, variable-speed Noctua fans rated at 17 dbA offer ultra-quiet operation.

40Gbps Thunderbolt Interface

40Gbps Thunderbolt interface offers 2800 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth to the installed PCIe card(s).

Mac Studio computer and PCIe cards not included

Front Power, Four Front USB-A Ports, Wireless Accessible, and Expansion Module for PCIe Cards Icons

Control and Connect

Easy Access to Mac Studio and PCIe Card Expansion Module

xMac Studio is a rugged steel 3U rackmount enclosure for securing a Mac Studio with optional PCIe card expansion module in a rack, placing the Mac Studio behind a quick and easy to remove front panel. Convenient front panel operation allows you turn Mac Studio on with its own dedicated front power button, connect USB devices through a 4-port USB-A hub, and access the computer’s front ports and SD card slots. When equipped with an Echo III or Echo I PCIe Card Expansion Module, three rear panel locking thumbscrews allow you to easily pull out and access the module and PCIe cards through the front without removing the front panel. The xMac Studio design enables you to connect and disconnect cables without needing to remove the Mac Studio from the enclosure.

An opening on top of xMac Studio ensures hindrance-free wireless signal access. The xMac Studio is designed to allow normal WiFi and Bluetooth wireless operation in most configurations (depending on rack type and position in rack), so you can use wireless devices and iOS® device control apps.

Front USB-A Ports
No production downtime – swap ubiquitous USB-A flash drives with on set colleagues

Key Features

Connects PCIe Card Slots to Mac Studio

Use high-performance PCIe cards with the Mac Studio.

Makes Your Mac Studio Road-ready

3U rackmount enclosure with firm rubber cushions securely holds the Mac Studio and Thunderbolt expansion module in place, adding mobility to your workflow.

Ideal 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 to Back Airflow Management

Supports direct airflow through the enclosure, Mac Studio, and Thunderbolt expansion module to keep them operating as cool in a rack as on a desk, even when the xMac Studio is mounted between two other rack-mounted components.

Front Panel Power Switch and Integrated USB-A Ports

Front panel button enables operation of the computer’s rear-mounted power switch; integrated USB-A hub enables connection of four USB peripherals to the Mac Studio.

Easy Access

No tools required – removable front panel secured with thumbscrews allows easy installation of and access to the Mac Studio. Secured with three thumbscrews on the back, the Thunderbolt expansion module can be removed and reinstalled through the front of the enclosure without removing the front plate.

Space for Storage

Behind a covered opening beneath the computer is a space to place two Thunderbolt or USB SSDs (sold separately); two included adhesive-backed magnets secure them in place.

Open Slot and Port Access

Provides access to the computer’s SD card slot and front and back panel ports, enabling you to connect and disconnect cables easily.

Cool Design

Go with the Airflow – Supports the Mac Studio Thermal Design

xMac Studio secures your Mac Studio without trapping in recirculating hot rack air, supporting its thermal design to keep it as cool in a rack as out on a desk. Ventilation holes on the enclosure’s front panel plus an enclosed chamber beneath the Mac Studio ensures the computer’s ability to draw in cool air through its base, while a completely open back enables it to expel warm air out the back unimpeded.

Space for SSDs

Secure Two Thunderbolt or USB SSDs Under the Mac Studio

xMac Studio provides space beneath the computer to house two Thunderbolt or USB SSDs (sold separately) up to 3.2 inches wide by 0.75 inch tall. Simply remove the rear access panel, apply the supplied adhesive-backed magnet to the bottom of the SSDs, insert the SSDs and connect them to the computer, and then reinstall the panel. The space is also suitable for other thin, bus-powered devices.

xMac Studio without Front Panel Showing Location of Installed SSD Drive In SSD Storage Space

Close Up Photos of xMac Studio's Power Button Assembly and SSD Storage Space

Additional PCIe Card Thunderbolt Expansion Options

xMac Studio with Echo III RackMount System

Need to Connect More than Three PCIe Cards?

Connect Additional Echo Modules

Mac Studio computers are equipped with four or six Thunderbolt ports, each supported by its own bus — each port provides full PCIe bandwidth. If you need to connect more than three PCIe cards (or more than one card with high bandwidth requirements), connect an Echo III Rackmount system configured with an additional Echo III Module, or a DuoModo Dual-Module Rackmount Enclosure configured with two Echo I Modules to connect as many as nine professional PCIe cards to your computer, all in just 5U of rack space. If you need to connect even more PCIe cards (and have the rack space), add additional expansion systems.

RackMac Studio with Echo III RackMount System

Need to Connect PCIe Cards to Two Mac Studios?

Choose a RackMac Studio Enclosure and Connect Echo Modules

If you need to add PCIe card expansion to two Mac Studio computers, you can also choose the RackMac Studio 3U rackmount enclosure and add an Echo III Rackmount system configured with an additional Echo III Module, each connected to a Mac Studio, all in just 5U of Rack space.

See Tech Specs for footnotes.
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.

expanded and secured

Easy Access to Mac Studio and PCIe Card Expansion Module

Key Features

Connects PCIe Card Slots to Mac Studio

Makes Your Mac Studio Road-ready

Ideal for Use in Server Rooms

Front to Back Airflow Management

Front Panel Power Switch and Integrated USB-A Ports

Easy Access

Space for Storage

Open Slot and Port Access

Free Lifetime Tech Support

Go with the Airflow – Supports the Mac Studio Thermal Design

Workflows on the Go

xMac Studio

Company

Support

Legal

Language

expanded and secured

Learn Why Echo Modules Use Thunderbolt 3 Instead of Thunderbolt 4

Learn Why Echo Modules Use Thunderbolt 3 Instead of Thunderbolt 4 >

Easy Access to Mac Studio and PCIe Card Expansion Module

Key Features

Connects PCIe Card Slots to Mac Studio

Makes Your Mac Studio Road-ready

Ideal for Use in Server Rooms

Front to Back Airflow Management

Front Panel Power Switch and Integrated USB-A Ports

Easy Access

Space for Storage

Open Slot and Port Access

Free Lifetime Tech Support

Go with the Airflow – Supports the Mac Studio Thermal Design

Workflows on the Go

xMac Studio

Company

Support

Legal

Language