Favorite phono stage in the $500-$800 range?

Check out the Graham Engineering phono stages. I don't know what your cartridge MM vs MC, they make different amps for each. The price is right and I really like their sound. If you have an MM, HOMC,-Mid output cart, the Graham Amp 2 SE is killer good for about $400 new.

Heed Quasar is a little known but outstanding device. I've put it up against well known stages costing much more and it has held its own or bettered the other phono. i just bought a used Rhea which is in a different league. I kept passing on more expensive phonos as the Quasar was just so involving and enjoyable. Looks nice too.

What's wrong with the Rogues built in phono stage?

I love these kinds of questions. You now have 10 recommendations so I will add an 11th - The Simaudio Moon 110LP.

So which of the 11 are you going to choose from? Let this run a few more days and you'll get 11 more. Or you can go to your local HiFi dealer and start auditiong to find the one that works best with your equipment and sounds best to you. And read Stereo5'S post carefully. You may already have all you need.

Paraneer, I think this kind of open call for ideas is just that. Now the OP will likely read more about some of these and finish the research. Some examples might be eliminated as too costly the Quasar lists for $1200, for instance. Then like most of us we settle on something, if we regret it as not for us, then it can be resold and so on. You know the drill, we sold our soul to the internet and lost our brick and mortars.
No more platitudes or moralizing out me.