When I had 48x firmware in my Liteon (which started out as a 40x) it burned MOHAA in 2:25min. and it was perfect. But I used good media; Taiyo Yuden 40x rated. With the Vs06 48x firmware it also did fine with CMC (medicocre media). Not everyone has had good luck with poorer quality media and 48x drives. I did however switch back to the new Zs0K 40x firmware to utilize more programs. It also supposedly works great on a wider variety of media. I will switch back again to the 48x firmware when more programs are ready for it, like Feurio, which is one of my favorites.

So the point of this is that a 40x Liteon gives you a lot of flexibility. I guess you could try the TDK and flash it to a Liteon and have the best of all worlds; a drive that you like for it's looks and like for it's functionality. However, TDK has been known to switch manufacturers. So while it is a Liteon now, it could become something else soon. I'd buy the Liteon and I'd buy the 40x again if I didn't already have it.