I would raise the arm height and if the sound is then too bright use a thicker mat (or cartridge shim - see below).
Most of my non-improved 3009’s have been tail up a bit (not much) when used on 160’s and 125’s, though they were level when used on 121/124.
I experienced the same problem when trying a very thin wool felt mat on my current TD125/3009 and simply shimmed the felt mat with a cork one underneath.
Never tried cartridge shims, but doing so does make sense if you are set on the current mat.
The only "improved" I’ve owned had bearing issues so I never played around with it much, plus this was 40 years ago.
PS: I still use "shim mats" when playing super thin 70's Euro import LP's, but just to make them sound less bright.
I've seen ads (here I think) for an add-on "easy to operate" VTA adjuster for SME arms, but forget who makes them.
DeKay
Most of my non-improved 3009’s have been tail up a bit (not much) when used on 160’s and 125’s, though they were level when used on 121/124.
I experienced the same problem when trying a very thin wool felt mat on my current TD125/3009 and simply shimmed the felt mat with a cork one underneath.
Never tried cartridge shims, but doing so does make sense if you are set on the current mat.
The only "improved" I’ve owned had bearing issues so I never played around with it much, plus this was 40 years ago.
PS: I still use "shim mats" when playing super thin 70's Euro import LP's, but just to make them sound less bright.
I've seen ads (here I think) for an add-on "easy to operate" VTA adjuster for SME arms, but forget who makes them.
DeKay