Dying Sound Card?

[Unkindness]

Question to those who know better than myself, I have a Strix Soar sound card which, when the computer is first turned on, will not "wake up". It takes about ten minutes before I can hear a click, and it gives me an option to use headphones. It has always clicked at start up, but it has been drifting further and further away from when the power is turned on. I pulled it out to check capacitors and what I can see with a bare eye on the board, but I don't see anything strangle like bulging capacitors. Occasionally I do get a touch of interference, which I thought was down to my modded DT990 Pros, but I can't repeat the interference or make it happen myself. Card is about 7 years old at this point and was bought new.

Any help is greatly received

[Psittac]

I would imagine that there are many ways for a sound card to "die".  Unless someone has experienced that same symptom it's really difficult to address.  But my best guess is that you are correct.  If you want a replacement the Sybasonic SD-Dac on amazon is on par with onboard audio.  There are many other options as well.  I would assume that it's probably time to replace the card.