Looks like Plextor FINALLY did it!
I did some tests with 1.06, and as you'll see below, FANTASTIC!!!!! finally this drive writes at 16X WITHOUT PowerRec enabled, and the results are superb.
A few screenshots:
This download was a .bin format, you'll need a flasher if you grab it, I don't see it posted anywhere, or advertised anywhere, but I did several tests with both TY and MCC media, and it reaches full 16X on both without PowerRec, and the results are astounding. Finally, I am satisfied with my Plextor!