Perhaps redshft1's (OP's) complaint has a more general cause that got lost (partly thanks to me) in the discussion of this particular model. If a 54x54 frame doesn't work for him even with. 6 cm stem, it's likely that one or more of the following are true or partially true:

He is trying to ride too large a frame;
He has an unusually short torso and reach;
He's attempting to achieve a more upright riding position than the typical racing frame is designed for.

As for the last cause, I myself struggle a bit with the conflicting requirements of riding efficiently and fast with needing to watch for traffic, or even enjoying the scenery without straining. But raising the stem (and/or choosing a shorter one) to sit more upright also removes me from the "sweet spot," the somewhat narrow range of positions for which a frame like the present one was designed, and I lose most of the sense of it. It would be a bit like replacing the suspension on a sports car to make it ride like a limousine. Sometimes it's better to choose a different type of vehicle?