I think this is like a lot of things in high end audio where everything comes down to implementation. In short, I think it is impossible to generalize about how a player will sound based strictly on whether it uses a tube output stage. When a player has a tube output stage, I don't think you can assume that it will have a smoothed over sound any more than you can assume that a player with a solid state output stage will have a bright, etched, analytical sound. Some of the former will sound crisp, detailed and articulate, and some of the latter will sound warm, rich and organic. It's all in the implementation.
By the way, if you want to hear an example of a great tube design, check out the AMR CD-77. It has none of the negative characteristics you mentioned and is the most natural sounding digital source I have personally experienced.
By the way, if you want to hear an example of a great tube design, check out the AMR CD-77. It has none of the negative characteristics you mentioned and is the most natural sounding digital source I have personally experienced.