i don't think the VTLs delay the B+. I've smoked a number of fuses due to power surges but the only problem i had with tubes was from a near lightning hit which took out the fueses and one tube. given the fact the tubes were going in the same location i'd vote for an amp problem and not use it until you fix it so you don't follow a potential minor problem with things like trannies.
sounds to me like something is shorting out. the impact of the amp being warm could be that when hot the trouble spot has expanded to cause the short and when cold it doesn't make contact. I had a guitar amp with a bad resistor connection that mad the amp cut out until it warmed up...it finally went totally south. also replacing the tubes a couple of times could have moved the socket enought to maybe seperate the trouble spots. send it in!
sounds to me like something is shorting out. the impact of the amp being warm could be that when hot the trouble spot has expanded to cause the short and when cold it doesn't make contact. I had a guitar amp with a bad resistor connection that mad the amp cut out until it warmed up...it finally went totally south. also replacing the tubes a couple of times could have moved the socket enought to maybe seperate the trouble spots. send it in!