Optical drive is very loud - why?

My optical drive is so loud it sounds like it's ready for takeoff. I've only had my late 2008 MacBook Pro for a couple of months and had no problems with CD's until just recently. They play just fine, but the drive keeps spinning at top speed throughout the time the CD plays. It did not do this until recently, and some of the referenced CDs were fine previously. I have had several optical drives in the past and all have behaved the same except this one. What I believe should be typical behavior: as the drive begins to read the disk it usually gets a little louder, then a little louder, then a little louder again, then backs off a level or two as you are listening/watching. Not silent, but not spinning at top speed either. Is this correct?
I took it to the genius bar today and they told me it was fine (in the middle of a very loud, busy store - I'm not sure how they could tell). They wouldn't allow me to compare it to another machine of theirs because they said that three different types of drives are used (in a late 2008 MacBook Pro???). When he confirmed that I'm stuck with this drive, I inquired how much it would cost to get a different/best new drive installed. He told me they never know which of the three drives they will get when they place an order. So even with Apple Care I can't BUY a decent drive????
I just want to be able to play CD's and not be blasted by the volume in order to cover up the ridiculously loud drive. And yes, I also download and copy music to my hard disk........but don't always want to do that.
At this point I don't even care about the cost..... I just want something that's right. Any suggestions on a new drive and where to get one?

same problem. i hate this things. 2000 euros, i don't accept this problems.

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Optical drive is very loud - why?

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