Time Stretch volume issue

I’m using Cubase 5 5.5.3 64 bit and something weird is happening (just recently) when I Time Stretch. I select the wav form, use MPEX: Solo Musical, adjust the ratio and hit processes. the time stretch works great but it lowers the volume quite a bit… did I hit something or change a setting?

I also notice it takes longer to import/process and export audio. A typical 30 second wav or mp3 file used to take under 2 seconds, now takes about 6…