N80,
It sounds like most of the issue you are having with the system is that you are used to a certain sound and it is taking time for you to adjust to this new, arguably better system. It seems you have it at least tentatively set up properly. The components you have received, are all great quality and the speakers should have plenty of bass. Here are my additional suggestions:
1) It appears your pre-amp has a tape loop. For $149, you can buy a Schiit Loki, which is an eq that runs in the tape loop. http://www.schiit.com/products/loki I caution you however, to limit how much bass boost you add, as you can end up overdriving the speakers or clipping the amp. If you are listening at low levels, the ear is less sensitive to bass and many will use something like this to restore the perceived loss of bass at lower levels. The term for this change is called the Fletcher-Munson curve if you wish to read about it. You could also always add a subwoofer later if you want (Rythmik is my suggestion).
2) Please take that Onkyo receiver out the loop. It is not helping anything and adding to your issues. For the turntable, you can get a phono preamp that will work better than the one built into the Onkyo for $50. Try the Art Pro Audio DJPREII or RollsVP29.
3) Radio Tuner- Nobody want's them anymore. I just gave away a great Proton Tuner. You can find them on craigslist for a song.
4) Bluetooth/Music Streaming- You will likely notice that Bluetooth from your phone doesn't sound great. If you have internet at your Cabin, take a look at a Google Chromecast audio for $25.00. It will let you stream from your phone and most music streaming services. If at some point in the future, you want better sound from it, add an outboard DAC. You can get perfectly decent ones from $100 (Schiit Mani is my suggestion for that price) up to ones that cost more than a car.
5) Cables to hook it up- For your needs, don't go spending a lot. There is a company on Amazon named "Worlds Best Cables" that sells some great value cables for about $20-30 a pair. Otherwise, Amazon Basics or Monoprice RCA cables will get the job done for even less money.
6) As others have said, have fun with it. You have been given something great. For less than $350 you can configure it to work how you want it to.
It sounds like most of the issue you are having with the system is that you are used to a certain sound and it is taking time for you to adjust to this new, arguably better system. It seems you have it at least tentatively set up properly. The components you have received, are all great quality and the speakers should have plenty of bass. Here are my additional suggestions:
1) It appears your pre-amp has a tape loop. For $149, you can buy a Schiit Loki, which is an eq that runs in the tape loop. http://www.schiit.com/products/loki I caution you however, to limit how much bass boost you add, as you can end up overdriving the speakers or clipping the amp. If you are listening at low levels, the ear is less sensitive to bass and many will use something like this to restore the perceived loss of bass at lower levels. The term for this change is called the Fletcher-Munson curve if you wish to read about it. You could also always add a subwoofer later if you want (Rythmik is my suggestion).
2) Please take that Onkyo receiver out the loop. It is not helping anything and adding to your issues. For the turntable, you can get a phono preamp that will work better than the one built into the Onkyo for $50. Try the Art Pro Audio DJPREII or RollsVP29.
3) Radio Tuner- Nobody want's them anymore. I just gave away a great Proton Tuner. You can find them on craigslist for a song.
4) Bluetooth/Music Streaming- You will likely notice that Bluetooth from your phone doesn't sound great. If you have internet at your Cabin, take a look at a Google Chromecast audio for $25.00. It will let you stream from your phone and most music streaming services. If at some point in the future, you want better sound from it, add an outboard DAC. You can get perfectly decent ones from $100 (Schiit Mani is my suggestion for that price) up to ones that cost more than a car.
5) Cables to hook it up- For your needs, don't go spending a lot. There is a company on Amazon named "Worlds Best Cables" that sells some great value cables for about $20-30 a pair. Otherwise, Amazon Basics or Monoprice RCA cables will get the job done for even less money.
6) As others have said, have fun with it. You have been given something great. For less than $350 you can configure it to work how you want it to.