Is the Acoustic Research Ax Ta ecc Really an overrated Poor mans Turntable?

It was what it was:  An entry ticket into being a serious audiophile, if you lived in 1970 and were not well to do.  Warts and all. What is your issue?

I've restored a couple of these for friends.  Also owned them new back in the day.  When set up properly they can still provide a rewarding musical experience.

But exactly who "overrated" them?

A great TT to mod! I have one! Can compete with expensive TT's! A sound basic design! Inspired the famous Brit TT's!

George Merrill offered a great mod for the original XA. I cut the arm well out of the subchassis on my XA, and mounted a Formula 4 Unipivot. In the 1980’s Acoustic Research reintroduced the table as the ES-1, which included a separate arm mounting board. I had one with a Rega RB300 mounted on it, a good combo.

bdp, I think the Mayware Formula 4 was a popular replacement for the standard AR arm.  Likely because it was also light weight (no impact on the suspension if done properly) and a good performer.

I changed to that arm too with the help of a buddy with access to a machine shop.  He was able to modify the T-bar for the Mayware arm and punch a larger hole in the steel top plate.  It looked like a factory installation when he finished.