This is a simple question.  Is it possible to hook up a computer to a
stero receiver using cat5 cable.  The two machines are 30 feet from
each other and there is cat5 cable run in the walls between the two
locations.  I can use a regular hook up wire because it was never run
for me.  I only have the cat5 to use.

Yes. The Cat5 cable must *not* be connected to a hub or switch.

You would need to use adapters to connect one twisted pair of the Cat5
to signal+ground of each phono connector at the stereo end, and at the
computer end you will probably need a stereo 3.5mm jack plug, wired
tip to Right signal, ring to Left signal, and the two grounds commoned
on the sleeve.

You might get some increased hum compared to using a screened cable,
but this will probably be negligible over short distances in a
domestic environment.

Owain

Thank you Owain

Can you take one more second and answer my question as if I am in
second grade.  I got the jist of your answer ( that being it can be
done) but I did not understand the way to do it.  Need it simpler.

When you strip the outer sheath off your Cat5 cable, you will see it
comprises four twisted pairs (eight wires).

Use one pair for the Left signal and one pair for the Right signal. 

As the cable will need to be soldered to the phono plugs (at the
stereo end) and the jack plug (as the computer end) you will need
someone who is able to solder up audio cables to make the cable for
you.

Owain

Hi Owain,

Have you considered using a stereo transmitter to do this, instead of
the Cat5 cable?

For less than $40, you can easily plug in a device (the transmitter)
to the stereo output of your computer, then set the stereo receiver to
a specified channel, and you're done.

-Lonny