My SME is 15 years old with copper same as yours. I sent it to England last summer for an internal wire upgrade and whatever other service it might need.
The new SME V indeed has silver van den Hul wiring (instead of copper). However there is an even better silver van den Hul wiring which SME does not use in their production arms but which they can install for you. It is designated as van den Hul MC-150S. Ask for that. I don't know what cartridge or phono cable you have. but it should be an improvement regardless.
Make sure you ask them to check the bearings and service the arm lift.
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The new SME V indeed has silver van den Hul wiring (instead of copper). However there is an even better silver van den Hul wiring which SME does not use in their production arms but which they can install for you. It is designated as van den Hul MC-150S. Ask for that. I don't know what cartridge or phono cable you have. but it should be an improvement regardless.
Make sure you ask them to check the bearings and service the arm lift.
.