I've played the Leningrad for more than a decade now, and can't say that I'm dissatisfied
With the Leningrad you should be prepared for both series of losses and series of wins, as one's current form is highly important. As well as theoretical preparedness of course, if you have problems against a certain white set-up you really need to do some work, both looking up theory and seeing what you do wrong and why in your games.
I've begun trying out the Iljin too, to get some diversity and fresh ideas, though so far only in blitz. But just like the Leningrad it takes a long time to understand and get used to the Iljin set-up and the various plans & tactics.
Just choosing a main line is somewhat perplexing, as 7...a5 and 7...Qe8 often seem to transpose after b3, my preference so far is the latter as black can play Nbd7 with quicker development - and the point of a7-a5 after b2-b3 eludes me somewhat. Why stop b4 if white obviously doesn't want to play it? Presumably, it's a waiting move, wanting white to commit with Qc2 or Bb2/Ba3 --- there is one independent plan after a5, i.e. Na6, c6, nc7, Rb8 and b5 - fighting for square d5 - but I'm not sure when/if this is preferable to Qe8-h5/g6...
The books Williams & Pinski seem to favour 7...Ne4 but after 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 I think white should have an edge - why move Nf6 twice only to give white Qd1-c2-c3, even if black can force through e6-e5 black's position just seems a bit dry to me...
Sorry to be adding to your confusion but maybe Iljin aficionado MNb can shed some light on these matters?