I also purchased the Optimism emm cables. There was an instruction sheet that came with the cables which outlined how to connect the cables. However, I also had a hard time making the proper connections, and initially they did not work. I thought I had damaged the cables. I took them out, started over and eventually got it work. Did the cables make a significant and worthwhile difference to my DCC2/CDSD? Absolutely, with the result being a even lower noise floor, more dynamics, and air. I would not thought it possible, but to paraphrase some other audiophile, there is always better.
Good luck,
Reg