Did you ever get this fixed? Was there some configuration that sorted it?
I currently have the same issue and more:
+ Long close time that appears like a hang (same as you) for many minutes and longer than load time;
+ A long wait after Cubase/Nuendo has connected to all the VEP instances. Watching the CPU monitor on the Windows VEP slave machine it goes up as each instance is connected and then once all are connected, and while in Cubase there is a progress spinner, the CPU on the slave goes down to 1 or 2% as if VEP has closed, stays there for 4 or 5 minutes then quickly goes up to about 30-40% and Cubase completes and I can start work. This is the same for coupled or decoupled - no difference.
+ And also a super slow gui in VEP when connected to DAW.
Thanks!