Hello my friend,
Check/compare LiteOn and NEC drives, good value for money.
By the way: did you install any Sony software back then? They had an issue few years ago because their software installed a "backdoor" . Not only illegal but also preventing several types of discs/CDs from playing.
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-6376177-1.html
Edit: Forget about NEC unless a shop got it in stock. They joined optical drive forces with Sony ("Sony Optiarc").
Of course you can consider this brand too; it's a free world, I just don't buy any Sony stuff anymore.
Like CR6 mentioned, LG is also good value for money. Plextor is good but quite expensive. And again, like CR6 said, check the jumper settings of the drive that you replace and make sure the new one has the same settings. If you want we can go through it on TS one of these days.