No answer found re version number of HSSE3. However, after trashing prefs, in an empty project without VEP, I can host HSSE in an instrument track or rack, and hear each of several loaded instrument sounds. I had to turn my audio device volume fairly high but there may be some setting I am missing. I did check modulation was high.
Initially the sound was heard, then it went silent, but after a little it became reliable. Maybe just a little loading time involved.