Connect SSD directly to Rock 5A

Context:

  • Rock 5A has a M.2 E slot
  • There is an adapter that converts M.2 E to IPEX and then IPEX to M.2 M

The adapter seems to be passive, there are no chips on the adapter board, so the M.2 E connector on the Rock 5A has all the pins for the M.2 M SSD data.

Would it be possible to directly connect an SSD to the Rock 5A? Is an adapter really needed? Is there a simpler / direct adapter (kinda like the SATA adapter)?

Thank you in advance for any comments and clarifications