Afaik all modern Creative cards either dont work on Linux at all, or have huge troubles.
Alternative solution - Asus Xonar DSX/DGX, but they are out of production for a few years already so you will probably need to hunt used ones on Ebay
Another alternative solution - PCIe to PCI adapters, something like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001221239895.html
The Asus Xonar DSX/DGX is, according to Asus, still in production and I was considering it.
As for the adapter. You are a bloody genius. Thanks. I'll check into this right now.
Thanks Nick,
Kate