Vinyl playback - lack of bass?

@chayro yes, good point, for sure it wouldnt be right away anyway. I would need to wait for a good condition/deal on a used xp15 anyway. Ill do some research, it could take many months. I just assumed that the pass labs xp15 is most likely a better phono all around and yes a different sound quality for sure. Supposedly the xp15 gives a bit of that tube likeish sound.

Because digital has a brick wall filter at around 22Hz, the response stops dead at the frequency.  Harry Pearson first noticed that at least early CDPs lacked what he called "downward dynamic range", perhaps because of the filter effect.  After HP brought it up, I cannot avoid hearing the effect of which he speaks.  Yes, digital goes very low until it doesn't.  This is not what happens in live music in any real world venue. I cannot get away from the fact that I hear what he was talking about.

@bbarten If you think of the pop/rock albums of the 70’s in particular, they were generally played in cars on either 8-track or cassette.  The speakers of the time were placed in trunks on the rear package shelf, so they emphasized the bass.

Here’s the technical reason from vintagevinylnews.

During this process, low frequencies (like bass tones) are reduced, and high frequencies (like cymbals and snares) are amplified.

This allows for narrower grooves on the record, which increases play time and reduces distortion from needle movement in lower frequency ranges.

When we play these records back on a turntable or phonograph, we need to reverse this frequency reduce high ones, and enhance low ones – so that what we hear accurately replicates the original recording.

This is precisely where an RIAA equalized preamplifier comes into play; it corrects these altered frequencies according to the standard RIAA curve.

So the gentleman above who recommended an equilizer has it exactly right.   Your phono preamp is applying reverse RIAA curve, so it’s hardly heresy to jack up the bass if it suits your mood.

Look at you manual again , you should be setting the cartridge to 1K resistance . J12 & J30

Also check your gain setting  , should be 60 or 66 db .

@tomrk Right on!  I think I had all the bass that could be had in a beetle with four Jensen 6x9's. lol  Yeah the groove thing is my basis and of course the RIAA EQ...this is what the sections in integrated are for, right?  Or standalones.  I guess the EQ is a constant?  Doesn't seem too cool really.  he he...thanks for the great info!  Ever noticed how some outlets boosts the bass more than original?  Like some radio channels and such?  Not true to origin but I like it.  Sorry purists!