u/n6o6n6

Hey everyone,

Recently got my hands on an HE6SE V2 and I'm trying to get the most out of it.

Current setup:

Mods: Arctic Cables grill, Audeze-style headband swap, Dekoni Elite Hybrid pad swap

Chain: Topping E50 II DAC → Topping A70 Pro

I've been reading through threads here and on Head-Fi but there's a lot of conflicting info and much of it seems to be about the OG HE6 rather than the V2 specifically. A few things I'd love input on:

DIY mods — what would you prioritize on the HE6SE V2 to get the best out of it?

OG HE6 / V1 — is it worth hunting one down, or does a well-modded V2 get close enough?

Amp/DAC — happy with the A70 Pro but open to suggestions if there's a meaningful upgrade path.

Thanks in advance!

I recently acquired a Hifiman HE6SE V2 and I'm now hunting for an amp that can actually do it justice. My current setup is underpowered for it, so I'm looking to upgrade properly.

I've been looking at three directions but I'm very open to other suggestions:

Option 1 — Topping A70 Pro
Plenty of power on paper, balanced output, modern measurements. Seems like a safe and well-reviewed choice, but I'm curious whether the real-world performance with the HE6SE lives up to the spec sheet.

Option 2 — SMSL H400
Specifically built with high-demand headphones in mind. The power output looks appropriate, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's actually paired it with the HE6SE or HE6SE V2.

Option 3 — Speaker amp route
I know this is the "traditional" recommendation for the HE6SE. Open to suggestions on which speaker amp at a reasonable price point would be the best match.

Option 4 — Something else entirely?
Not married to any of the above. If there's an amp you think is a better fit for the HE6SE V2 that I haven't mentioned, I'd love to hear it. Budget is flexible for the right choice.

A bit of context: I'm coming from planar experience so I'm used to the planar sound signature. I'm after control, dynamics, and enough headroom to let the HE6SE breathe. Sound quality is the priority over raw specs.

Appreciate any firsthand experience or strong opinions. Thanks!

p.s. I've already gotten some helpful input from a few members — now looking to hear from the wider community as well.