> a buggy Linux application and poor sound stability, suggests that it may be time to move on

Be hacker! Just "fix"[0] good-oldyie Skype 4.3 for Linux[1][2] after install it:

  sudo sed -i 's/4\.3\.0\.37/8\.3\.0\.37/' /usr/bin/skype

[0] http://www.opennet.ru/tips/info/3039.shtml

[1] http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-ubuntu-precise_4.3.0.3...

[2] http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386...