Tonearm microphonics

Atmasphere is right to point out that there are adverse side effects where the geometry of the disc is not uniform and flat when external damping in the form of silicon goop is applied.
Not only does it damp resonance but it also exerts drag on the arm's movements not unlike extra friction in the bearing. this means if the arm has to weave from side to side or follow vertical undulations there will be slower reaction.

However, here's the kicker : even if the disc was drilled perfectly centrally and was perfectly flat there would still be a problem because the tone arm must "sign" across the disc as it still must follow the inward "spiral" of the groove to its centre.

Therefore Stringreen's suggestion was extremely sensible i.e. if the arm seems naturally well enough damped, try to run it without damping fluid.

Dear Bdp24,

Sincere thanks for your excellent and well written post.

I knew that if we “mechanical laymen” poked the problem with a stick for long enough, someone would weigh in with some actual research ;)

I had completely forgotten about the Rock. It is one of the most well-researched turntables in analogue history. If Townsend says that damping works regardless of adverse conditions then that’s good enough for me. :)

Best regards,

Bill.

Watch out for those termites! ;)
Studies have shown that termites eat your house twice as fast if you play them some Black Sabbath.... :) :)

BTW Handymann, I agree those MAXX2s of yours are glorious loudspeakers when working solo. I wouldn't be unhappy with them at all. 
Just leave the termites to their devices.
 (Pest controllers say that you can hear termites munching inside the walls. Do they mean one termite or a concerted symphonic throng? Apparently soldier termites can also be heard banging their heads off the walls. Now those guys MUST be Black Sabbath fans... ;) :)
Best regards!