Obtaining a quiet A/C Compressor

[Ben Fenner]

What's the cheapest way to a working, reliable, quiet A/C compressor?
Mine was grinding for a while and suddenly started whyning alarmingly loud.
I've since replaced the belt with one from a non-A/C car and removed the A/C
compressor. Can I re-build my old one? I got a price of $450 for a new one
from my local dealership. That's a bit steap for me right now. Is a
remanufactured one any cheaper? Junkyard maybe? Should I just go to Auto
Zone (aftermarket)?
I don't want the dirt cheap solution, I'd like it to last some years.
And of course I know I could keep it as is, enjoy the power gain/weight loss
and be on my merry way. I'm just thinking about last summer, and how A/C is
god's gift to man.

-Ben
1994 Sentra SE-R