Just a guess but maybe it was oxygenated better than your first try at it?
I don't have an oxygen system yet either so I rack into the carboy and shake the hell out of it. I'm usually seeing activity in 6-8 hours or so.
I would still pitch more yeast and I think it should take off. I've heard the guys on the session talking about pitching 4 vials or more to make up for a starter that they didn't make...
BTW under pitching could lead to a surplus of the esters and phenols you wanted to supress.
Maybe some of the bigger brains around here will chime in soon to help!
Josh