Phono Stage Gain - how does it impact sound?

Any decent phono stage, especially a solid state one like the Sutherland, is not going to be rolled off at bass frequencies, unless there is a defect in the RIAA network, which I doubt. So, put more hours on the cartridge, and if you are still dissatisfied with bass response, see if you can borrow a Pass or other similar amplifier that has a higher power rating (at least 60W), or consider more efficient speakers. 87db seems indecently inefficient to me.

@mulveling yup that’s what I’m thinking too. 
@lewm the XA-30.8 is 30w in Class A. It goes out of Class A and well beyond its rated 30w/ch. When that happens the meter starts moving indicating it’s exited Class A. I rarely see that take place. I should be able to get a more powerful amp to test it though. We’ll see. And yes letting the ML break in. Playing record after record. 

@lalitk we’ll see after I get 40-50hrs on the ML. I’m more inclined to give a Sutherland 20/20 with a higher gain setting available (64db) than having to add a sub.
As far as ML sound quality, I can tell you and everyone looking into a cartridge upgrade…jaw dropping difference switching from EL to ML. Exceeded my expectations.

@audphile1 

I believe you on exceeding expectations with Hana ML. In fact, I loved Hana ML so much that I upgraded to Hana Umami Red on my SME 15AV TT. I am now back to exploring options on TT / Tonearm and Cart for my 2nd system (all analog). I am trying to keep it under $5K and Hana ML will be again my top choice. 

The Vibe has 60db of gain and the Pass Labs has 9.3 db of gain for a total of 69.3db of gain. The cartridge output is 0.4mV and the Pass Labs 30.8 has an input of sensitivity of 0.77 volts. Total gain required to drive the Pass Lab 30.8 to full power is 20log (0.77v / 0.0004v) = 66db of gain. Total gain is not your problem, sounds more like cartridge setup and/or cartridge brake-in.