>1. I've got a NEC DVD Burner. Any reason to get a better [possibly external] CD burner?
Dunno.
>2. What application should I use? I've got a full version of Nero and UltraISO.
I use EAC for all my burns.
>3. Should I do a direct copy from disc to disc using the same drive, multiple drives, creating an image, ripping to WAV first, etc?
If you are just copying from disc to disc, I think the best way to go is use EAC to create a disc image, then use EAC to burn that same disc image. When I burn CDs I am mostly burning from FLACs. I use the integrated dbPoweramp or whatever it is called to convert all the FLAC to wavs, then I create a cue sheet in EAC by dragging and dropping onto the write screen.
>4. Should I volume normalize the discs? I've heard this can help loud/hot recordings sound less... like ass.
No. And nothing will make your loud/hot recordings sound less like ass.
>5. What printer works well with those white inkjet printable TY's? I don't have a printer at the moment and if I was to buy one I would probably get a laserjet, but having printed labels on my copies would be kind of cool.
Dunno.
>6. Any suggestions on an application that will search out and print track listings and possibly album art for the discs I'm copying?
I don't know of a program, but I'm sure there must be one. I just write on my CDs with a klone marker.