Do I need a new USB drive or is it the CD?

I've had an Apple USB drive for a good few years since I changed from a MacBook to a MacBook Air. I still buy CDs and use iTunes and iPod, as opposed to Apple Music and streaming, so it's an important tool for me.

I've noticed recently that SOME CDs are very "scratchy" at the beginning but clear up, but MOST are still perfectly fine all the way through. I'm really not sure whether I need to buy a new USB Disc Drive or is it just the odd CD quirk (often a CD with a lot of songs on it, greatest hits etc) that I just have to suck up. I'm worried I will shell out £80 on it and it won't actually solve anything...

Any help much obliged. Thanks in advance.