un-screwing acoustic zen cables

The connectors work fine. You just have to be careful not to over tighten them. It is actually pretty easy to do. Try moving the cable a little when you try getting them off. It has to be exactly straight. If you've been turning them the wrong way and tightning them---well, good luck! I know these suckers can redefine locking if they get too tight.
I have done this a few times because the cable had the connector in a little bind. You couldn't tell how tight they were.

I've got the Silway MK2. While facing the front of the component, therefore, the cables' ends are facing me, i twist the barrel counterclockwise to loosen the connection.

Here is the Locking Rca instructions for Acoustic Zen cables, these instructions will ship with all interconnects in the near future.
I HOPE THIS IS OF HELP!

Locking RCA instructions.
Prior to installing your new Acoustic Zen
Interconnect, we recommend you to read
Our installation procedures.

1.Once cable is removed from packaging, Completely
loosen all four RCA barrels by unscrewing them in a
counter clockwise fashion.

2.Install interconnects, make sure to follow the directional flow of the Interconnect. The directional flow Is indicated on the heat shrink of the interconnect.

3.This is the last and most important step, tightening of the RCA barrels. Do not over tighten the RCA barrels!
Turn barrels slowly, clockwise until you feel a small
amount of resistance building (barrel becomes a bit more
difficult to turn).Once resistance is felt, Turn barrel an additional 1/4 turn. There is no need to tighten the barrels
anymore than this, doing so may result in damage to your equipment.

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions. I managed to get the cables off at the pre-amp end, and the CDP is now free from the system. I will now take the player (with interconnects still attached) to the Musical Fidelity dealer for repair (and cable removal!).