I think a better way to say this is that we are still investigating whether this is the same diode as the one in the 8DX drive. It IS a 12x burner, but they may have achieved the faster speed via means other than a new diode.
We need some more tested. However, you should know that you are going into the experiment possibly paying extra for the same diode as the one in the 8X.
according to the review on newegg, no one has gotten write speeds of 12x yet. I'm not sure if that is due to the media being used, or if the diode/optics/whatever aren't as efficient as was expected. Who knows.
I'm having Mohrenburg make one of these diodes into a module. I'm sure he will share an output reading or two before he sends it off to me. Its not happening yet, but quite soon!