White Noise and clicks when using external DAC

Hi all, I've just bought a MacBook Air M1. I want to use this as a Roon Core device connected via usb to a Chord Electronics Mscaler, in turn connected to a Chord Electronics Hugo 2 and then headphones.

I've set up the device in Roon and also tried setting it up in the Audio Midi setup app. Unfortunately whilst it appears to be set up correctly I get terrible white noise, frequent digital noise and clicks.

I've got a MacBook Pro 16inch Intel and it works perfectly with that running Big Sur.

Any help or advice as I'm saddened the my preferred solution isn't working and I'm not able to see how to fix it?