My gut feeling tells me that it could be a defective capacitor. But that's pure speculation.
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That is my Wild Alex Guess, as well. While I am NOT an expert, it just sorta kinda almost seems it might perhaps possibly be a capacitor or two on the circuit board taking a long time to charge up - sorta like an old camera flash unit taking longer than normal to charge its thyrister so it can flash a full blast.
But then, sending it to RODE for service makes sense only if the repair bill, coupled with the cost of shipping AND the initial cost of acquisition is a comparative bargain versus the cost of a new one under warranty or another model you might prefer over the long haul.
Just saying - I am NOT being critical in any way. The same sort of economic considerations apply in other hobbies, such as the comparative cost to restore an old MG or Triumph sports car often exceeds its restored resale value, or the cost to restore an ancient fountain pen relative to its restored resale value, and so forth.
Good luck. James
