It seems that the issue is caused by RAM usage as describing here https://old.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/vluqp9/psa_suffering_from_your_m1_macbook_pro_making/
I tested it myself and my usb audio dropping occurred exactly when the memory pressure turned to yellow.
jodythai
Users receive reputation points by contributing quality content to the forums.
Posts include post and replies published on the forums.
Post authors can mark replies as Accepted to indicate successful solutions.
Apple Developer Forums admins can mark replies as Apple Recommended to indicate an approved solution
From
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Post
Replies
Boosts
Views
Activity
I'm using MBP M1 Pro 14" 16GB RAM. I'm having an Cayin RU6 external DAC connecting to my MBP and I'm also experiencing sound crackling. The issue happens more frequently when the system is in high memory & CPU usage BUT the issue is gone if I use the internal DAC under the same circumstance. So there is something wrong with the way the system communicates with the external DAC.
I also tried installing Parallel Desktop and play music in Windows 11 but the sound crackling still existed with the external DAC, but not with the internal DAC. So I think it's not an issue with MacOS software as the issue occurs on both OS.