Signal Chain Pairing for HE1000se

[M1dN1ght]

I recently picked up a He1000se refurbished directly from Hifiman for $1350, and I really think this is endgame for me; At least for the foreseeable future. The only problem is that with my current signal chain (Hifiman EF500 and Shiit Lyr+) I find that they just aren't as warm or musical as I would like them. I know this is a common problem people have with the HEKse, but I find them sibilant more often than I'd like which really takes me out of the music.

I've spent countless hours at this point looking for a solution that doesn't break the bank, as I'm 18 and can't responsibly spend much more than 1k on a signal chain for these. This is especially challenging considering I've been trying to find a used DAC with quality single ended outputs below $600 that will tame the treble, bring out a good bit of the potential of the HEKse, and has a good USB implementation as I plan on mostly listening through USB from my laptop. I'm currently considering a few options, namely the iFi Neo iDSD 2, SMSL DO200 Pro, Geshelli Labs J2S, Shiit Bifrost 2, and even the Black Ice Audio Glass Fx in which case I would sell my Lyr+ and only use the headphone out of the Glass Fx.

Currently I'm leaning toward the iFi Neo iDSD 2, because I keep hearing it described as smooth, full, and slightly warm. Also the USB implementation and filters look nice. I have heard the that the HE1000se paired with the iFi Pro iCan Signature sounds chalky though, so I am a bit worried that that characteristic will also come out with the iDSD 2 since they are both iFi products.

I'm open to any suggestions and will consider selling my entire signal chain and starting from the ground up. Just figured I would ask Head-Fi before making any decisions, because for some reason there aren't any places in Nashville which carry headphone gear.

 

[dunring]

I have Arya Stealth and the upper mid vocals were borderline shouty. The fix was Dekoni perforated sheepskin pads, and also the AliExpress pads did a great job for a lot less, making them more mid focused.
SMSL DACs with color settings can really help on those too. The free way is APO and Peace and use the autoeq button in peace will set them up really easily to the Harman curve.

 

[M1dN1ght]

I have Arya Stealth and the upper mid vocals were borderline shouty. The fix was Dekoni perforated sheepskin pads, and also the AliExpress pads did a great job for a lot less, making them more mid focused.
SMSL DACs with color settings can really help on those too. The free way is APO and Peace and use the autoeq button in peace will set them up really easily to the Harman curve.

Thanks for the pad recommendation! I've heard great things about Perforated Sheepskin pads for the HE1000se, so I'll probably pick some up soon.

EQ is great, but using both Harman EQs for the HE1000se in peace made the HE1000se sound veiled. Also you can't really EQ sibilance out of a headphone. I mean you can but it's gonna affect the other frequencies in the range that you EQ down.
I would just rather get things sounding the way I want on the analog side than the digital.