FWIW, don't let the "alpha" label fool you, AetherSX2 (https://www.aethersx2.com/archive/) works like a charm on this M1 Mac. Admittedly, I only tested a couple of games, but it has been much better than PCSX2 in every possible way so far.
> Update 2023/01/10: I no longer have any active online presence in any community. Anyone claiming to be Tahlreth, or represent AetherSX2, is impersonating and scamming you. I hope the threats and hate will stop now.
Well that's disheartening :(
Sure, there are lots of people who load their translated roms into emulators without any drama, but they are just as part of the emulation scene as torrent users are part of the warez scene. It is how much you are involved.