9.5 is pretty low static CR for a Street Hemi, especially with aluminum heads.
But I don't know what octane the OP is working with.
Sounds like a "smaller" cam would be better for that to keep cylinder pressure up.
I ran 10.8 static CR with ported iron heads on 91-93 octane with no issues, but it had a fairly "big" SFT cam that bled some pressure off.
It was a Crower unit, IIRC upper 240s @ .050 with lift in the .540s, split pattern.
Valve lash adjustments were very rarely needed, but did have to tweak jetting & rods/springs in the AFBs due to low vacuum signal.