Fix up my old AR or get a new table?

I guess the question really is, can you get better sound for $2000 than for what it costs for the AR. A nice cartridge and arm pretty much eats it already, table aside.

Yes, I kick myself in the pants every time I think about not biting the bullet back then and sending in my ES-1 for the full Merrill mods. Easy to say that now, but back then money was an issue. It's just too bad that his company stopped doing that kind of work. Anthony Scillia seems to have taken over; he offers new armboards, adjustment studs, SS shaft, and a spring kit. But no subchassis upgrade.

76, how did you like the Merrill acrylic platter? And was the Rel Cap the same value as the original?

If it has the original "AR" arm (actually a Japanese OEM arm), replace it with a Rega RB250 or 300 arm, or modifications thereof. Then buy a new drive belt (around $12) and you're on the way to a tt that can compete with most modern mid-priced tt's on the market.

the acrylic platter opened up the top end,but the outer ring clamp semmed to help the most.The clamp really stabilized the sound field and locked it in with precision.The Rel Cap replacement was the original value
that I has on my machine.

Fix it up. New motor, belt, arm, armboard. Either new springs or a carefull adjustment of what you have. Discard the bottom plate and either run naked replace with 1/2" baltic ply. Look into an external power supply or try with an isotap to reduce the AC to ~85watts. This reduces torque- so you have to give the platter a nudge when you turn it on, but the lower voltage also results in much smoother motor rotation (less vibration transmitted to the TT). The difference is audible.

Denon 103 cartride, Shure V-15vmr, Grado Wood bodies are a few of the favored cartridges.

Seriously for the money and very little effort, this isn't another table out within $1000 that can touch it sonically.

Good Luck !