Speaking from personal experience, for first time founders rasing early rounds I would actually recommend going through an associate as you likely have no idea what you are doing and associates have more time and patience to hand-hold you through the process and prepare you for the partner meeting. You only get one shot with the decision makers and if you have no previous experience you are almost certain to blow it even if you have read every piece of advice on the internet.

Sure if you are Justin Kan you don't want to bother with another gatekeeper but if you are not then convincing the gatekeeper may actually prepare you to convince the decision maker.