Mint 16 64bit and skype -> outgoing audio delay of 10 seconds
 

Using new, clean install of mint cinnamon 16 64bit. Used apt-get install to install skype. Video works fine. But outgoing audio has between a 5 and 10 second delay, when doing a test call to skype. When the sound does come through though it is crystal clear. Calling a friend, he said my audio wasn't coming through. Options > Sound Devices lists the microphone, speakers and ringing settings as pulseaudio server local. These are the only available options shown.

Checking my audio settings in Mint, the microphone is set to record sound from my Lifecam Cinema and checking my sound for analog output built in driver, both left and right speakers immediately play the test recording.

Does your box have internal mic apart from the one of the webcam?
I'd rather test it for possible delays.That would help narrowing the problem to one source (software OR hardware).
If you use gtalk, you can also install google video plugin to test the mics on your setup (just to figure out if the problem lays on Skype or not)
When you're done with mic testing, you can check if there is a newer version of Skype - I knew, there was a "static" one. Possibly download it and check.

Out of the blue: you're not running any P2P software, on-going downloads when calling.Are you?

That's the hints I can give you so far.

EDIT: Just checked - Mine Skype version is 4.2.0.11. What's yours?

Łukasz